Effects of social support from various sources on depression in elderly persons.

Although global measures of social support demonstrate significant effects on psychological and physical well-being, the differential significance of various support sources is largely unknown. The present study examines differences in the effects of functional expressive support by source on depressive symptoms. This approach is contrasted with network interaction studies of elderly persons, which do not measure functional support but do suggest that friends are distinctly significant. Spouse, friends, and adult children were found to rank in descending order of importance; relatives show no effect. Low support may have stronger effects than unavailability of sources. Effects of supports and stressors are not conditioned by age, sex, or widowhood. Implications of findings and further research needs are discussed.