Scholars@Duke publication: Perceived social support among depressed elderly, middle-aged, and young-adult samples: cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses.

Perceived social support among depressed elderly, middle-aged, and young-adult samples: cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses.

Publication , Journal Article

Lynch, TR; Mendelson, T; Robins, CJ; Krishnan, KR; George, LK; Johnson, CS; Blazer, DG

Published in: J Affect Disord

October 1999

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.

Duke Scholars

Author Clive Justin Robins Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Adult Psychiatry & Psychol ...

Author Linda K. George Sociology

Author K. Ranga Rama Krishnan Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine & Neur ...

Author Daniel German Blazer Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine & Neur ...

Published In

J Affect Disord

DOI

10.1016/s0165-0327(99)00017-8

ISSN

0165-0327

Publication Date

October 1999

Volume

Issue

2-3

Start / End Page

159 / 170

Location

Netherlands

Related Subject Headings

Social Support
Self Concept
Quality of Life
Psychiatry
Middle Aged
Male
Longitudinal Studies
Humans
Female
Depressive Disorder

Citation

APA

Chicago

ICMJE

MLA

NLM

Lynch, T. R., Mendelson, T., Robins, C. J., Krishnan, K. R., George, L. K., Johnson, C. S., & Blazer, D. G. (1999). Perceived social support among depressed elderly, middle-aged, and young-adult samples: cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. J Affect Disord, 55(2–3), 159–170. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0165-0327(99)00017-8

Lynch, T. R., T. Mendelson, C. J. Robins, K. R. Krishnan, L. K. George, C. S. Johnson, and D. G. Blazer. “Perceived social support among depressed elderly, middle-aged, and young-adult samples: cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses.” J Affect Disord 55, no. 2–3 (October 1999): 159–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0165-0327(99)00017-8.

Lynch TR, Mendelson T, Robins CJ, Krishnan KR, George LK, Johnson CS, et al. Perceived social support among depressed elderly, middle-aged, and young-adult samples: cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. J Affect Disord. 1999 Oct;55(2–3):159–70.

Lynch, T. R., et al. “Perceived social support among depressed elderly, middle-aged, and young-adult samples: cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses.” J Affect Disord, vol. 55, no. 2–3, Oct. 1999, pp. 159–70. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/s0165-0327(99)00017-8.

Lynch TR, Mendelson T, Robins CJ, Krishnan KR, George LK, Johnson CS, Blazer DG. Perceived social support among depressed elderly, middle-aged, and young-adult samples: cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. J Affect Disord. 1999 Oct;55(2–3):159–170.