Department of Psychology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva 84105, Israel.
Center for Multidisciplinary Research in Aging, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva 84105, Israel.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Nov 30;19(23):16065. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192316065.
Social support functions as an effective buffer against depression, especially among older adults with limited social networks. For the current study, we examined longitudinal bidirectional associations between social support and depression among those 75+ years of age. We recruited and followed a sample of Israeli adults 75+ years of age (N = 824; M = 80.84; range 75-96 years). Structured interviews were conducted in the homes of participants at three annual points of measurement. Participants reported depressive symptoms and emotional and instrumental support received from friends and family. We examined a cross-lagged, longitudinal structural equation model (SEM) in which social support and depressive symptoms predict each other over time, covarying for previously reported social support and depressive symptoms. We found that both depressive symptoms and social support are largely consistent in late life. Depressive symptoms and social support reported at baseline predict levels reported 1 and 2 years thereafter. Cross-over effects emerged over time. Depressive symptoms predicted lower social support in future, and social support at baseline predicted depressive symptoms 2 years later. These findings suggest that associations between depressive symptoms and social support are bidirectional in late life. Further research is needed to replicate findings in other cultures and over longer periods, ideally until end of life.
社会支持作为一种有效的缓冲，可以预防抑郁，特别是对于社交网络有限的老年人。在当前的研究中，我们研究了 75 岁以上人群中社会支持与抑郁之间的纵向双向关联。我们招募并随访了一组 75 岁以上的以色列成年人（N=824；M=80.84；年龄范围为 75-96 岁）。在参与者的家中，每年进行三次结构化访谈。参与者报告了抑郁症状以及从朋友和家人那里获得的情感支持和工具性支持。我们检验了一个交叉滞后的纵向结构方程模型（SEM），其中社会支持和抑郁症状随时间相互预测，同时考虑了之前报告的社会支持和抑郁症状。我们发现，抑郁症状和社会支持在晚年都相当稳定。基线时报告的抑郁症状和社会支持预测了随后 1 年和 2 年的水平。随着时间的推移，出现了交叉效应。抑郁症状预示着未来的社会支持水平会更低，而基线时的社会支持则预示着 2 年后的抑郁症状。这些发现表明，在晚年，抑郁症状和社会支持之间的关联是双向的。需要进一步的研究来复制其他文化和更长时间跨度的发现，最好是直到生命结束。
