Objective: This study aimed to model quality of life based on perceived stress and distress tolerance of the elderly in Ilam: The mediating role of hardiness. This applicable study conducted through descriptive-structural equation modeling. Method: The statistical population was elderly people of Ilam city (N=9496) during 2020. The sample size calculated using Power-G software (2007) as 384 cases. The sample selected by aim oriented sampling method based on inclusion criteria in public places of Ilam city. Participants completed the standard questionnaires of the quality of life World Health Organization (1996), Cohen Perceived Stress (1994), Distress Tolerance Scale of Simmons and Gohar (2005), and the Kobasa hardiness Questionnaire (1982). Data analyzed in SPSS25 and Amos -25 software. Results: The results showed that there is a significant relationship between perceived stress, distress tolerance, and hardiness with the quality of life of the elderly in Ilam city. Similarly, there is a significant relationship between perceived stress and distress tolerance with Hardiness. Conclusion: The results of the structural equation model showed hardiness has a mediating role in the relationship between quality of life with distress tolerance and perceived stress. They have a total, direct, and indirect effect on variables
