Department of Social Work, Tzu Chi University, Taiwan.
Aging Ment Health. 2012;16(2):236-44. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2011.596809. Epub 2011 Jul 25.
This study explored the buffering effects of instrumental and emotional support from different sources against the impact of increasing functional disability on depression and life satisfaction.
Random effects modeling was utilized with data from a nationwide longitudinal study in Taiwan. A total of 6722 observations from 2856 elders over a seven-year period served as subjects of this study.
The results suggested that instrumental support from family members and formal organizations as well as emotional support from families, friends and formal organizations was significantly associated with better psychological well-being among the elderly in Taiwan. In addition, receiving instrumental support from family members and formal organizations can moderate the linkage between increasing functional disability and depression.
The results emphasize the importance of encouraging a partnership between natural helpers and health care professionals. A good integration between formal and informal networks could more effectively meet the needs of the frail older adults and their families. This study also calls for more attention to the cultural competence of health care policy and service delivery.
本研究探讨了不同来源的工具性支持和情感支持对因功能障碍逐渐加重而导致的抑郁和生活满意度下降的缓冲作用。
本研究采用了来自台湾一项全国性纵向研究的数据，利用随机效应模型，对 2856 名老年人在 7 年内的 6722 次观察结果进行了分析。
结果表明，来自家庭成员和正式组织的工具性支持以及来自家庭、朋友和正式组织的情感支持与台湾老年人的心理健康状况显著相关。此外，来自家庭成员和正式组织的工具性支持可以调节功能障碍逐渐加重与抑郁之间的联系。
研究结果强调了鼓励自然帮手和医疗保健专业人员之间建立伙伴关系的重要性。正式和非正式网络的良好整合可以更有效地满足脆弱老年人及其家庭的需求。本研究还呼吁更多关注医疗保健政策和服务提供的文化能力。
