Perceived social support among depressed elderly, middle-aged, and young-adult samples: cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses
Abstract
Background A number of studies have concluded that the perceived quality of support is more strongly associated with mental health than with the actual structure of personal networks. This study examined clinical, historical, and phenomenological variables associated cross-sectionally and longitudinally with perceived social support.Methods Participants included elderly, middle-aged, and young-adult depressed samples derived from the Duke Clinical Research Center for the Study of Depression in Late Life.Results Cross-sectional multivariate analyses revealed that perceived social support was: (1) for the elderly associated with pessimistic thinking, being divorced, having strange ideas, the degree of social interaction, and instrumental support; (2) for middle-age associated with dysthymia, divorce, pessimistic thoughts, social interaction, and instrumental support; and (3) among young adults with instrumental support only. Longitudinal multivariate analyses indicated that only perceived social support at Time 1 predicted perceived social support 1 year later among elderly and middle-aged subjects, whereas only instrumental support predicted perceived social support 1 year later among the young-adult sample.Limitations The small number of subjects among the young-adult sample limit conclusions regarding this group. In addition, only patients provided data. Future studies should consider using multiple informants to enhance the accuracy of reported social support.Conclusions Our findings indicate that in addition to whatever else they do for depressed patients, clinicians must endeavor to address relationship or social support difficulties, especially in the elderly.
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The risk and protective effects of perceived social support on depression have been widely studied.
“The risk7–10 and protective effects11–15 of percieved social support on depression have been widely studied.”
Findings regarding the interaction effect of age and perceived social support on depression and anxiety have been mixed.
“Findings regarding the interaction effect of age and perceived social support on depression and anxiety have been mixed.7,39”
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“[32, 34] Findings regarding the interaction effect of age and perceived social support on depression and anxiety have been mixed.[7, 39] Given the importance of peers, it is expected that younger age groups would demonstrate the greatest effect of social support on depression and anxiety.”
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- Authors
- Lynch, T. R., Mendelson, T., Robins, C. J., Krishnan, K. R. R., George, L. K., Johnson, C. S., & Blazer, D. G.
- Affiliations
- Duke University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Lynch, Thomas R
- Venue
- Journal of Affective Disorders
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 1999-10
- Volume
- 55
- Issue
- 2-3
- Pages
- 159-170
- ISSN
- 0165-0327 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2013608402
- Cited by
- 74
- References
- 36
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 2 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 8
- FWCI
- 1.36
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Affective Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- ePrints Soton (University of Southampton) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH054846, MH 40159, MH-54846)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Health and Well-being Studies
- Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Aging, Health, and Disability
- Keywords
- perceived social support, depression, older adults, middle-aged adults, young adults, instrumental support, divorce, social interaction, dysthymia, social networks, geriatric depression
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Aging, Cross-Sectional Studies, Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Quality of Life, Self Concept, Social Support
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