scholarly journals Social Support Modifies the Relationship Between Personality and Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults

2011 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cameron G. Oddone ◽  
Celia F. Hybels ◽  
Douglas R. McQuoid ◽  
David C. Steffens
2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (8) ◽  
pp. 1466-1475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaru Jin ◽  
Huaxin Si ◽  
Xiaoxia Qiao ◽  
Xiaoyu Tian ◽  
Xinyi Liu ◽  
...  

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Harry O Taylor ◽  
Ann W Nguyen

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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S978-S979
Author(s):  
Shuting Liang ◽  
Dexia Kong ◽  
XinQi Dong

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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 465-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiuquan Gong ◽  
Zhao Ni ◽  
Bei Wu

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 24-24
Author(s):  
Harry Taylor ◽  
Ann Nguyen

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.


GeroPsych ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 246-251
Author(s):  
Gozde Cetinkol ◽  
Gulbahar Bastug ◽  
E. Tugba Ozel Kizil

Abstract. Depression in older adults can be explained by Erikson’s theory on the conflict of ego integrity versus hopelessness. The study investigated the relationship between past acceptance, hopelessness, death anxiety, and depressive symptoms in 100 older (≥50 years) adults. The total Beck Hopelessness (BHS), Geriatric Depression (GDS), and Accepting the Past (ACPAST) subscale scores of the depressed group were higher, while the total Death Anxiety (DAS) and Reminiscing the Past (REM) subscale scores of both groups were similar. A regression analysis revealed that the BHS, DAS, and ACPAST predicted the GDS. Past acceptance seems to be important for ego integrity in older adults.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 498-498
Author(s):  
Yooumi Lee ◽  
Janet Wilmoth

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.


2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 461-467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron M. Koenig ◽  
Rishi K. Bhalla ◽  
Meryl A. Butters

AbstractThis brief report provides an introduction to the topic of cognitive functioning in late-life depression (LLD). In addition to providing a review of the literature, we present a framework for understanding the heterogeneity of cognitive outcomes in this highly prevalent disorder. In addition, we discuss the relationship between LLD and dementia, and highlight the importance of regularly assessing cognitive functioning in older adults who present with depressive symptoms. If cognitive deficits are discovered during a neuropsychological assessment, we recommend referral to a geriatric psychiatrist or cognitive neurologist, for evaluation and treatment of the patient’s symptoms. (JINS, 2014, 20, 1–7)


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