Stage of life course and social support as a mediator of mood state among persons with disability.

OBJECTIVE

This research seeks to determine which aspects of social support are most effective in mediating mood state among working-age and elderly adults with disability (N = 442).

METHODS

Participants were identified through random-digit dialing of telephone exchanges and administration of a disability screen. Multiple regression was used to model multiple aspects of social support while holding sociodemographic and disability indicators constant.

RESULTS

Analyses revealed that network size and confidence in the reliability of helping networks are significantly and negatively related to depressed mood. Confidant support was related to lower levels of depressed mood for younger respondents only. Neither marital status, advisor support, nor social integration were related to mood.

DISCUSSION

Both instrumental and emotional support are key in mediating depressed mood among this population. We conclude that all types of social support are not equally effective in mediating mood among people with disability.