Association of social relationships with depressive symptoms: Testing an alternative to social support.

1992 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Franks ◽  
Cleveland Shields ◽  
Thomas Campbell ◽  
Susan McDaniel ◽  
Jeffrey Harp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Relationships

The Association of Biological and Psychological Attributions for Depression with Social Support Seeking Intentions in Individuals with Depressive Symptoms

2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 605-617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca K. Blais ◽  
Keith D. Renshaw
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Informal Support ◽  
Professional Help ◽  
Lower Likelihood ◽  
Social Support Seeking ◽  
Support Seeking

Background: Research suggests that biological and psychological attributions for depression are related to professional help-seeking, but the association of these attributions with informal support seeking in social relationships is unknown. As social support is linked with recovery from depression and a lower likelihood of experiencing future episodes of depression, it is important to understand factors that influence an individual's decision to seek social support. Aims: The present study examined depressed individuals’ own attributions for their depressive symptoms (i.e. personal attributions), perceptions of a friend's attributions for these symptoms (i.e. perceived attributions), and the depressed individuals’ willingness to seek social support from that friend. Method: Eighty-six individuals experiencing at least mild depressive symptoms completed self-report measures of personal attributions, perceived attributions, and a social support seeking intentions scale. Results: Participants’ own attributions for depressive symptoms were unrelated to their willingness to seek social support. In contrast, perceived biological attributions were related to greater help-seeking intentions, whereas perceived psychological attributions were associated with lower support seeking intentions. Conclusions: These results suggest that decisions to seek social support are more influenced by perceptions of others’ beliefs about depression than one's own beliefs.

scholarly journals Social Relationships and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Among Postmenopausal Women

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (7) ◽  
pp. 1597-1608 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Hendryx ◽  
Wanda Nicholson ◽  
JoAnn E Manson ◽  
Candyce H Kroenke ◽  
Jennifer Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Postmenopausal Women ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Social Relationship ◽  
Stressful Life Events ◽  
Stressful Life ◽  
Social Strain

Abstract Objectives We examined whether social relationship variables (social support, social strain, social network size, and stressful life events) were associated with risk of developing type 2 diabetes among postmenopausal women. Method 139,924 postmenopausal women aged 50–79 years without prevalent diabetes at baseline were followed for a mean of 14 years. 19,240 women developed diabetes. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models tested associations between social relationship variables and diabetes incidence after consideration of demographics, depressive symptoms, and lifestyle behaviors. We also examined moderating effects of obesity and race/ethnicity, and we tested whether social variable associations were mediated by lifestyle or depressive symptoms. Results Compared with the lowest quartile, women in the highest social support quartile had lower risk of diabetes after adjusting for demographic factors, health behaviors, and depressive symptoms (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.89–0.97). Social strain (HR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.04–1.13) and stressful life events (HR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.05–1.15) were associated with higher diabetes risks. The association between diabetes and social strain was stronger among African American women. Social relationship variables had direct relationships to diabetes, as well as indirect effects partially mediated by lifestyle and depressive symptoms. Discussion Social support, social strain, and stressful life events were associated with diabetes risk among postmenopausal women independently of demographic factors and health behaviors. In addition to healthy behaviors such as diet and physical activity, healthy social relationships among older women may be important in the prevention of diabetes.

scholarly journals Association Between Social Relationships, Depressive Symptoms, Food Security, Usual Protein Intake and Healthcare Utilization in Homebound Older Adults: A PATH Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 49-49
Author(s):  
Fayrouz Sakr-Ashour ◽  
Edwina Wambogo ◽  
Nadine Sahyoun
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Protein Intake ◽  
Evaluation Study ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Instrumental Social Support ◽  
Outcomes Evaluation ◽  
Homebound Older Adults

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to measure the direct and indirect relationships between food insecurity (FI), dietary intake (DI), social relationships (SR), depressive symptoms (DS) and their impact on healthcare utilization (HU) in older adults receiving home-delivered meals (HDM) using data from the national 2015–17 Outcomes Evaluation Study. Methods The 2015–2017 Outcomes Evaluation Study is a multistage, clustered, longitudinal observational study of 641 older adults; 306 HDM recipients, and 335 matching controls. Study participants were homebound older adults aged 67 years and older. Measurements: Demographic, health-related, dietary and hospitalization data were obtained using a Client Outcomes Survey, 24-hour dietary recalls and Medicare files. Structural equation modeling was used to measure the direct and indirect relationships between FI, SR, DS, HU and DI (usual protein intake), estimated using the National Cancer Institute's statistical modeling method. Results HDM recipients’ mean usual protein intake (34.0 grams) was significantly higher than controls (31.8 grams), but both groups had mean usual protein intakes that were lower than recommendations. FI prevalence in HDM recipients and controls was 25.1% and 16.0%; respectively. Greater severity of FI was associated with lower usual protein intake in both groups. Receiving instrumental social support was directly associated with lesser severity of FI in HDM recipients, and higher FI was associated with more DS only in controls. Eating alone was associated with lower usual protein intake and greater hospitalizations in the controls. Conclusions HDM recipients and controls may be at a high risk for protein insufficiency, further underscored by the high prevalence of FI. Received instrumental social support can play an important role among HDM recipients and controls, both vulnerable populations. Findings also highlight the need for validated tools to measure different aspects of social relationships in older adults. Funding Sources No funding sources to declare.

scholarly journals Social relationships and depression during the COVID-19 lockdown: longitudinal analysis of the COVID-19 social study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Sommerlad ◽  
Louise Marston ◽  
Jonathan Huntley ◽  
Gill Livingston ◽  
Gemma Lewis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Perspective Taking ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Social Study ◽  
Empathic Concern ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Contact Frequency

AbstractBackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic led to social and physical distancing measures that reduced social contact and support. We explored whether people with more frequent and supportive social contact had fewer depressive symptoms during the UK Spring 2020 ‘lockdown’, whether this applied to face-to-face and remote electronic contact, and whether people with higher empathy levels, or more frequent pre-COVID social contact with others were more protected.MethodsUK dwelling participants aged ≥18 in the internet-based longitudinal COVID-19 Social Study completed up to 22 weekly questionnaires about frequency of face-to-face and phone/video social contact, perceived social support, and depressive symptoms assessed with the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9). Mixed linear models examined associations between social contact and support, and depressive symptoms. We examined for interaction by empathic concern and perspective taking and pre-COVID social contact frequency.ResultsIn 71,117 people with mean age 49 years (standard deviation 15) we found that daily face-to-face or phone/video contact was associated with lower PHQ-9 scores (mean difference 0.258 (95% confidence interval 0.225, 0.290) and 0.117 (0.080, 0.154) respectively) compared to having no contact. Those with high social support scored 1.836 (1.801, 1.871) PHQ-9 points lower than those with low support. The odds ratio for depression for those with daily face-to-face social contact compared to no face-to-face contact was 0.712 (0.678, 0.747). Daily compared to no phone/video contact was associated with odds ratio for depression 0.825 (0.779, 0.873). And reporting high, compared to low, social support was associated with 0.145 (95%CI 0.138, 0.152) odds ratio for depression. The negative association between social relationships and depressive symptoms was stronger for those with high empathic concern, perspective taking and usual sociability.ConclusionsThose who had more face-to-face contact during lockdown had fewer depressive symptoms. Phone or video communication were beneficial but less so. People who were usually more sociable or had higher empathy were more likely to have depressive symptoms during enforced reduced social contact. Results have implications both for our management of COVID-19 and potential future pandemics, and for our understanding of the relationship between social factors and mental health.

scholarly journals Social relationships and depression during the COVID-19 lockdown: longitudinal analysis of the COVID-19 Social Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Andrew Sommerlad ◽  
Louise Marston ◽  
Jonathan Huntley ◽  
Gill Livingston ◽  
Gemma Lewis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Perspective Taking ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Social Study ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Contact Frequency ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to measures that reduced social contact and support. We explored whether UK residents with more frequent or supportive social contact had fewer depressive symptoms during March−August 2020, and potential factors moderating the relationship. Methods A convenience sample of UK dwelling participants aged ⩾18 in the internet-based longitudinal COVID-19 Social Study completed up to 22 weekly questionnaires about face-to-face and phone/video social contact frequency, perceived social support, and depressive symptoms using the PHQ-9. Mixed linear models examined associations between social contact and support, and depressive symptoms. We examined for interaction by empathic concern, perspective taking and pre-COVID social contact frequency. Results In 71 117 people with mean age 49 years (standard deviation 15), those with high perceived social support scored 1.836 (1.801–1.871) points lower on PHQ-9 than those with low support. Daily face-to-face or phone/video contact was associated with lower depressive symptoms (0.258 (95% confidence interval 0.225–0.290) and 0.117 (0.080–0.154), respectively) compared to no contact. The negative association between social relationships and depressive symptoms was stronger for those with high empathic concern, perspective taking and usual sociability. Conclusions We found during lockdown that those with higher quality or more face-to-face or phone/video contact had fewer depressive symptoms. Contact quality was more strongly associated than quantity. People who were usually more sociable or had higher empathy had more depressive symptoms during enforced reduced contact. The results have implications for COVID-19 and potential future pandemic management, and for understanding the relationship between social factors and mental health.

Interpersonal Stress and Poor Health

2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mette M. Aanes ◽  
Maurice B. Mittelmark ◽  
Jørn Hetland
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Somatic Symptoms ◽  
Total Effect ◽  
Subjective Feeling ◽  
Interpersonal Stress ◽  
The Relationship

This paper investigated whether the lack of social connectedness, as measured by the subjective feeling of loneliness, mediates the well-known relationship between interpersonal stress and psychological distress. Furthermore, a relationship between interpersonal stress and somatic symptoms was hypothesized. The study sample included 3,268 women and 3,220 men in Western Norway. The main findings were that interpersonal stress was significantly related to psychological distress as well as to somatic symptoms, both directly and indirectly via paths mediated by loneliness. The size of the indirect effects varied, suggesting that the importance of loneliness as a possible mediator differs for depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and somatic symptoms. In the case of depressive symptoms, more than 75% of the total effect was mediated through loneliness, while in the case of somatic symptoms just over 40% of the total effect was mediated through loneliness. This study supports the hypotheses that social connectedness mediates a relationship between interpersonal stress and psychological distress. The study also provides the first link between interpersonal stress, as measured by the Bergen Social Relationships Scale, and somatic symptoms, extending earlier research on the relationship between interpersonal stress and psychological distress.

Association of severity of depressive symptoms with sleep quality, social support and stress among Pakistani medical and dental students: A cross-sectional study

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-220
Author(s):  
Ahmed Waqas ◽  
Aqsa Iftikhar ◽  
Zahra Malik ◽  
Kapil Kiran Aedma ◽  
Hafsa Meraj ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Severe Depression ◽  
Dental Students ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Poor Sleep Quality ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical And Dental Students

AbstractObjectivesThis study has been designed to elucidate the prevalence of stress, depression and poor sleep among medical students in a Pakistani medical school. There is a paucity of data on social support among medical students in Pakistan; an important predictor of depressive symptoms. Therefore, this study was also aimed to demonstrate the direct and indirect impact of social support in alleviating depressive symptoms in the study sample.MethodsThis observational cross-sectional study was conducted in Lahore, Pakistan, where a total of 400 students at a medical school were approached between 1st January to 31st March 2018 to participate in the study. The study sample comprised of medical and dental students enrolled at a privately financed Pakistani medical and dental school. The participants responded to a self-administered survey comprising of five parts: a) demographics, b) Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), c) Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), d) Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and e) Perceived Stress Scale-4 (PSS-4). All data were analysed using SPSS v. 20. Linear regression analysis was used to reveal the predictors of depression.ResultsIn total, 353 medical students participated, yielding a response rate of 88.25%. Overall, poor sleep quality was experienced by 205 (58.1%) students. Mild to severe depression was reported by 83% of the respondents: mild depression by 104 (29.5%), moderate depression by 104 (29.5%), moderately severe depression by 54 (15.3%) and severe depression by 31 (8.8%) respondents. Subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, daytime dysfunction and stress levels were significantly associated with depression symptoms. Social support was not significantly associated with depressive symptoms in the regression model (Beta = -0.08, P < 0.09); however, it acted as a significant mediator, reducing the strength of the relationship between depressive symptoms and sleep quality and stress.ConclusionsAccording to our study, a large proportion of healthcare (medical and dental) students were found to be suffering from mild to moderate depression and experienced poor sleep quality. It is concluded that social support is an important variable in predicting depressive symptomatology by ameliorating the effects of poor sleep quality and high stress levels.

scholarly journals Intergenerational Relationships, Social Support, and Psychological Well-Being Among Korean Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 498-498
Author(s):  
Yooumi Lee ◽  
Janet Wilmoth
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Adult Child ◽  
Intergenerational Relationships ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Well Being

Abstract This study investigates whether intergenerational relationships and social support improve the psychological well-being of Korean older adults. We examine whether intergenerational relationships and social support directly influence psychological well-being and the extent to which they mediate the distressing consequences of life events such as declining health and recent widowhood. Using longitudinal data from the 2006 to 2016 Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, we explore depression trajectories among individuals who are 60 or older with at least one living adult child at baseline. Specifically, we converted data from 5,383 older adults into a person-period file with 24,726 observations over a ten-year period. Then we estimated linear growth curve models of depression trajectories separately for men and women using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Results from the hierarchical linear models indicate that declining health and recent widowhood are positively related to depressive symptoms. Satisfactory intergenerational relationships and social support in the form of personal interactions and proximate living arrangements with adult children decrease depressive symptoms of older parents, especially among women. We conclude that the psychological benefits of intergenerational relationships and social support are contingent upon the vulnerability of older adults and discuss the implications for public policy.

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