Stressful life events and depression in 60 year old population of Gyeonggi Province: Social networks can act as moderators?

Abstract

Objective: Depression is quite common among the elderly individuals of the society. According to stress-buffering model, stress interacts with social support that the effects of stress are significantly lessened under conditions of strong social support. Social support is defined as resources provided by others as coping assistance in times of need and is found to be a moderator to buffer against the negative impact of stress. This study aimed to examine the moderating role of perceived social support on the relationship between adverse life events and depressive symptoms later in life. Method: The respondents were 639 60-year old people who are dwelling in Yangpyung, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Interviews were conducted by experienced research assistants. The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was used to assess depressive symptoms. Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS) and Life Event Check (LECL) were used to measure perceived social support and stressful life events (SLEs). Results: Examining depression, only 14.7% (n=94) of total population showed 15 or higher score (mean GDS score= 6.66, SD=6.6, p<0.05). 12.5% (n=39) of male participants were depressed (mean GDS score= 5.86, SD=6.2, p<0.01), while 16.7% (n=55) of female participants were depressed (mean GDS score= 7.42 SD=6.8, p<0.05). For LECL, 30% (n=196) did not report any adverse events, 38.4% (n=246) experienced 1–2 events, and 30.5% (n=195) experienced 3 or more events. 38.2% (n=244) were at low risk. 30.0% (n=192) were at moderate risk. 31.6% (n=202) were isolated or at high risk of isolation. ANOVA was done to evaluate the suitability of the regression model. The results showed that the regression model was suitable to analyze (F=25.199, p<0.01). Using hierarchical multiple regression models, the results showed that the social support measured by LSNS moderated the influence of the exposure to SLEs on depression, even after controlling socio-demographic, and physical health status were applied. Also the moderating effect was greater in male than that of female which is apposite to our hypothesis. Conclusions: This finding suggests that social support play critical roles in the stress-outcome relationship among 60-years old population like it was suggested. Considering the data, to protect elderly people against becoming depressed, structural dimensions of familial and social support are needed to be considered.