Depressive Symptoms and Loneliness Among Black and White Older Adults: The Moderating Effects of Race

Abstract Loneliness is consistently linked to worse depression/depressive symptoms; however, few studies examined if this relationship varies by race. The purpose of this study was to determine if race moderated the relationship between loneliness and depressive symptoms among a nationally representative sample of older Black and White adults. Data come from the 2014 wave of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) Core survey and Psychosocial Leave Behind Questionnaire; only Black and White older adults were included in the analysis (N=6,469). Depressive symptoms were operationalized by the CESD; however, the ‘felt lonely’ item was removed given concerns with collinearity. Loneliness was operationalized using the Hughes 3-Item Loneliness Scale. Sociodemographic variables included gender, age, education, household income, employment status, marital status, and living alone or with others. Furthermore, social support and negative interactions from family members and friends, and religious service attendance were included in the analysis. Lastly, we created an interaction term with race and loneliness. All analyses used survey weights to account for the complex multistage sampling design of the HRS. Missing data were multiply imputed. Older Blacks had higher rates of loneliness and depressive symptoms compared to older Whites. In multivariate analysis, we found race significantly moderated the relationship between loneliness and depressive symptoms while controlling for sociodemographic, social support, negative interaction, and religious attendance covariates. For both older Blacks and Whites, greater loneliness affected depressive symptoms; however, the effect was stronger among Whites than it was for Blacks. Findings can be used to create racially sensitive depression interventions.

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Depressive Symptoms and Loneliness Among Black and White Older Adults: The Moderating Effects of Race

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa048 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (5) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Harry O Taylor ◽

Ann W Nguyen

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Multivariable Analysis ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Religious Service ◽

Religious Service Attendance ◽

Black And White ◽

The Relationship ◽

Service Attendance

Abstract Background and Objectives Loneliness is consistently linked to worse depression/depressive symptoms; however, there are few studies that have examined whether the relationship between loneliness and depressive symptoms varies by race. The purpose of this study was to determine whether race moderated the relationship between loneliness and depressive symptoms. Research Design and Methods Data come from the 2014 wave of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) Core survey and Psychosocial Leave-Behind Questionnaire; only black and white older adults were included in the analysis (N = 6,469). Depressive symptoms were operationalized by the eight-item Center for Epidemiological Studies—Depression scale; however, the “felt lonely” item was removed given concerns with collinearity. Loneliness was operationalized using the Hughes 3-Item Loneliness Scale. Sociodemographic variables included gender, age, education, household income, employment status, marital status, and living alone or with others. Furthermore, social support and negative interactions from family members and friends, and religious service attendance were included in the analysis. Lastly, we created an interaction term between race and loneliness. All analyses used survey weights to account for the complex multistage sampling design of the HRS. Missing data were multiply imputed. Results In multivariable analysis, we found race significantly moderated the relationship between loneliness and depressive symptoms while controlling for sociodemographic covariates, social support and negative interaction variables, and religious service attendance. Discussion and Implications Our findings demonstrate a differential racial effect for loneliness and depressive symptoms. For both blacks and whites, greater loneliness affected depressive symptoms; however, the effect was stronger among whites than it was for blacks. Given this is one of the first studies to examine the differential effects of race on loneliness and depressive symptoms, more research is necessary to determine the consistency of these results.

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Relationship Between Frailty and Depression Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: The Mediating and Moderating Role of Social Support

The Gerontologist ◽

10.1093/geront/gnaa072 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 60 (8) ◽

pp. 1466-1475 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yaru Jin ◽

Huaxin Si ◽

Xiaoxia Qiao ◽

Xiaoyu Tian ◽

Xinyi Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Frailty Phenotype ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Background and Objectives Frailty is associated with depression in older adults and reduces their social support. However, the mechanism underlying such relationship remains unclear. We aim to examine whether social support acts as a mediator or moderator in the relationship between frailty and depression. Research Design and Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,779 community-dwelling older adults aged 60 and older. Frailty, social support, and depressive symptoms were measured by the Physical Frailty Phenotype, Social Support Rating Scale, and five-item Geriatric Depression Scale, respectively. Data were also collected on age, gender, years of schooling, monthly income, cognitive function, number of chronic diseases, physical function, and pain. Results Linear regression models showed that subjective support and support utilization, but not objective support, mediated and moderated the relationship between frailty and depressive symptoms. The Johnson–Neyman technique determined a threshold of 30 for subjective support, but not for support utilization, beyond which the detrimental effect of frailty on depressive symptoms was offset. Discussion and Implications Social support underlies the association of frailty with depression, and its protective role varies by type. Interventions on depression should address improving perceptions and utilization of social support among frail older adults rather than simply providing them with objective support.

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THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PHYSICAL FRAILTY AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS: DOES SOCIAL SUPPORT MATTER?

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.3546 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S978-S979

Author(s):

Shuting Liang ◽

Dexia Kong ◽

XinQi Dong

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Family Members ◽

Female Gender ◽

Physical Frailty ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Chinese Older Adults ◽

Interaction Terms ◽

The Relationship

Abstract This research will present the association between physical frailty and depressive symptoms among U.S. Chinese older adults, and the extent to which social support moderates the relationship. Cross-sectional data were obtained from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago collected between 2011 and 2013 (N=3,157). Physical frailty was assessed by the Short Performance Physical Battery (range=0-15). A cut-off point of 6 was used to define physical frailty as suggested by prior research. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire. Social support was measured by a scale assessing positive support and negative strain from spouse, family members, and friends. Logistic regression analyses with interaction terms were conducted. In our sample, 1,682 (54.3%) had depressive symptoms, and 16.1% had physical frailty. Having physical frailty was positively associated with depressive symptoms (Odds Ratio [OR] 1.15, 1.11-1.18). Additionally, female gender (OR 1.39, 1.20-1.61), education (OR 1.03, 1.01-1.04), and chronic conditions (OR 1.18, 1.12-1.25) were positively associated with depressive symptoms. Social support (OR 0.85, 0.83-0.87) and children (OR=0.92, 0.87-.97) were negatively associated with depressive symptoms. Furthermore, family members (OR 0.96, 0.94-0.98) and friends (OR 0.96, 0.94-0.98) has moderating effect on the relationship between physical frailty and depressive symptoms. However, the interaction between social support from spouse and physical frailty was not significant. The findings highlight the interconnections among physical frailty, social support, and depressive symptoms. Intervention strategies focusing on social support may have the potential to reduce depressive symptoms among frail U.S. Chinese older adults.

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The mediating roles of functional limitations and social support on the relationship between vision impairment and depressive symptoms in older adults

Ageing and Society ◽

10.1017/s0144686x18001010 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 40 (3) ◽

pp. 465-479 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Xiuquan Gong ◽

Zhao Ni ◽

Bei Wu

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Structural Equation Models ◽

Functional Limitations ◽

Vision Impairment ◽

Structural Relationships ◽

Mediating Mechanisms ◽

The Relationship

AbstractVision impairment is prevalent and it is strongly associated with depressive symptoms in older adults. This study aimed to investigate the mediating roles of functional limitations and social support on the relationship between vision impairment and depressive symptoms in older adults. This study used data from a probability-based sample of 1,093 adults aged 60 and older in Shanghai, China. Structural equation models were used to examine the structural relationships among sets of variables simultaneously, including vision impairment, activities of daily living ADLs, instrumental ADLs (IADLs), friends support, family support, relatives support and depressive symptoms. The bootstrapping method and the program PRODCLIN were used to test the indirect effects of these variables. This study found that vision impairment was directly associated with a higher level of depressive symptoms, and the association was partially mediated by functional limitations (IADLs) and social support (friends support). The study demonstrates that improving social support from friends and enhancing social participation for visually impaired older adults can reduce depressive symptoms. More importantly, this study contributes to the knowledge of mediating mechanisms between vision impairment and depressive symptoms.

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The Relationship Between Filial Expectations and Depressive Symptoms in Chinese Older Adults: The Mediating Role of Intergenerational Social Support

Journal of Adult Development ◽

10.1007/s10804-020-09360-2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Zhouzhou Ding ◽

Quan Yang ◽

Jinli Xiong ◽

Lei Yang ◽

Shufei Yin

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Chinese Older Adults ◽

Mediating Role ◽

The Relationship

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Social Networks and Depression Over Time: The Mediating Role of Social Support and Social Isolation

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1312 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 407-408

Author(s):

Abhijit Visaria ◽

Pildoo Sung ◽

Angelique W M Chan

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Social Networks ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Reciprocal Relationship ◽

Mediating Role ◽

Representative Study ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Perceived Social Isolation ◽

The Relationship

Abstract It is well established that a strong social network is an important factor for successful ageing, specifically for promoting and maintaining psychological wellbeing at older ages. Strong social networks are a source of social support especially at a time of need, and can also help older adults remain connected, active, and engaged in group activities. In this study, we seek to better understand the underlying pathways in the relationship between social networks and depressive symptoms, specifically comparing the extent to which the relationship is mediated by the receipt of material/monetary support, relative to perceived social isolation. We use data from the Panel on Health and Aging of Singaporean Elderly, a nationally-representative study of older Singapore citizens and permanent residents aged 60 years and older in 2009 (N=4990), with two follow-up surveys in 2011 (N=3103) and 2015 (N=1572). We conduct cross-lagged mediation analysis, and control for a number of potential confounders including cognitive function, chronic physical ailments, socioeconomic status, and demographic variables such as age, sex, marital status, and family size. Our preliminary analysis shows that a reciprocal relationship between social networks and depressive symptoms is mediated to a larger extent by social isolation compared to weaker social support.

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RUMINATION, DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS, AND SLEEP QUALITY: SOCIAL SUPPORT AS A BUFFER

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.1940 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S527-S527

Author(s):

Christina M Marini ◽

Stephanie J Wilson ◽

Lynn Martire

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Negative Mood ◽

Positive Association ◽

Well Being ◽

Buffering Hypothesis ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Middle Aged Adults

Abstract Rumination, the act of dwelling on negative, unwanted thoughts, can stoke depression and disrupt sleep, both of which may threaten older adults’ well-being. In line with a support buffering hypothesis, a previous study of younger and middle-aged adults found that social support mitigated the positive association between rumination and negative mood. To extend this research, we distinguished between spousal and family/friend support as moderators of rumination’s links both to depressive symptoms and sleep quality among older adults. Data came from a sample of 128 adults who were, on average, 77 years old at study onset. Rumination was measured via the Rumination-Reflection Questionnaire. Perceived support was measured by items utilized in multiple nationally representative studies of older adults. Depressive symptoms were measured via the NIH PROMIS measure, and sleep quality was measured via items from the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Results indicated that support from family/friends (but not spouses) buffered the positive association between rumination and depressive symptoms, even after controlling for depressive symptoms six months prior. Conversely, when sleep quality served as the outcome, support from spouses (but not family/friends) buffered the negative association between rumination and sleep quality, even after controlling for sleep quality six months prior. Findings highlight the potential for specific sources of social support to buffer different consequences of rumination on older adults’ health and well-being.

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The Effects of Religiosity on Depression Trajectories Before and After Widowhood

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.2184 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 572-572

Author(s):

Frances Hawes ◽

Jane Tavares ◽

Corina Ronneberg ◽

Edward Miller

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Well Being ◽

Living Alone ◽

Religious Service ◽

Religious Service Attendance ◽

Depressive Symptomology ◽

The Relationship ◽

Service Attendance

Abstract Widowhood is associated with decreased emotional well-being, particularly increased depression. Religiosity may help improve mental health among widowed individuals. However, longitudinal studies exploring the role of religiosity on emotional well-being among widowed older adults is lacking, as are studies which examine this relationship using different dimensions of religiosity. This study analyzed data from the 2006-2016 waves of the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Trajectories of depression among older adults >50 years (N=5,486) were examined to explore patterns of depression among those entering widowhood and the potential impact of religiosity on depressive symptoms during widowhood. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis was used to examine the association between widowhood and depression as well as the role of religiosity as a moderator of this association. Older adults experienced an increase in depressive symptomology after the onset of widowhood, and although the levels of depressive symptomology decrease post-widowhood, they do not return to their pre-widowhood levels. Additionally, high religious service attendance and higher intrinsic religiosity were both associated with lower depressive symptomology. High religious service attendance moderated the relationship between widowhood and depression. The relationship between high religious service attendance and depression was stronger among widowed older adults living alone. This study highlights the long-term effects of widowhood on depressive symptomology among older adults. The findings also suggest that higher religious service attendance can lessen the effects of widowhood on depressive symptoms, especially for those living alone. These findings may inform intervention development around increased screening and treatment for depression.

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Religious Service Attendance and Volunteering

Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly ◽

10.1177/0899764016655619 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 46 (2) ◽

pp. 395-418 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Young-Il Kim ◽

Sung Joon Jang

Keyword(s):

Adult Life ◽

Religious Attendance ◽

Religious Service Attendance ◽

Mediation Analyses ◽

Rate Of Increase ◽

Curve Modeling ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Dynamic Relationships ◽

The Relationship ◽

Service Attendance

Despite methodological advances in studying the relationship between religious attendance and volunteering, its dynamic nature still needs to be elucidated. We apply growth curve modeling to examine whether trajectories of religious attendance and volunteering are related to each other over a 15-year period in a nationally representative sample from the Americans’ Changing Lives data (1986-2002). Multivariate results showed that the rates of change in religious attendance and volunteering were positively related, and excluding religious volunteering did not alter the finding. It was also found that the initial level of religious attendance was positively associated with the rate of increase in volunteer hours over the period. Mediation analyses revealed that participation in voluntary associations explained the dynamic relationships between religious attendance and volunteering. These results provide evidence that involvement in organized religion and volunteering are dual activities that change together over the adult life course.

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