Social Support Buffers the Impact of Depressive Symptoms on Life Satisfaction in Old Age

Alexithymia and negative emotions among nursing students: a moderated mediation model

Nursing students, who comprise a high percentage of China's college students, experience many psychological problems; however, few studies explored the mechanisms underlying these problems. This cross-sectional study explored the relationships and mechanisms of depression, anxiety, stress, and narrative disorders in senior nursing students. Questionnaires were administered to 380 senior nursing students in Hubei Province using the Sociodemographic Questionnaire, Toronto Alexithymia-20 Scale, Perceived Social Support Scale, 10-Item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale. After controlling for sociodemographic variables, Hayes' PROCESS macros were used to test how psychological resilience moderates the relationships among narrative disorders, negative affect, and perceived social support. Bootstrap confidence intervals tested for indirect effects. Correlation analyses revealed that alexithymia was correlated significantly positively with depression-anxiety-stress (r = 0.57, 0.56, and 0.58, resp.) and significantly negatively with perceived social support (r = 0-0.46). Psychological resilience was correlated significantly negatively with alexithymia (r=-0.39) and depression-anxiety-stress (r=-0.31, -0.30, and-0.32, resp.) but significantly positively with perceived social support(r = 0.50). Perceived social support was correlated significantly negatively with depression-anxiety-stress (r=-0.33, -0.34, and - 0.42 resp.). Stress was correlated significantly positively with anxiety and depression (r = 0.81 and 0.77, resp.). Psychological resilience was a partial mediator between depression and dysphoria (β=-0.08, p < 0.05). Dysphoria directly predicted anxiety (β = 0.31) and stress (β = 0.37); moreover,alexithymia predicted depression not only directly but also through the mediating effect of psychological resilience. Therefore, educators and clinical administrators must promote and recognise negative emotions among nursing students to help ensure the nursing workforce's stability.

Associations with smartphone usage and life satisfaction among older adults: Mediating roles of depressive symptoms and cognitive function

This study aimed to investigate the serial mediating effects of depressive symptoms and cognitive function on the relationship between smartphone usage and life satisfaction among older people. Multiple linear regression analyses for complex randomly sampled data were used to identify the association between the status/level of smartphone usage, depressive symptoms, cognitive function, and life satisfaction. Furthermore, the Sobel test was conducted to assess the serial mediating effects of depressive symptoms and cognitive function on the relationship between smartphone usage and life satisfaction. The status and level of smartphone usage had significant positive impacts on cognitive function and life satisfaction, and negative impacts on depressive symptoms. Our results suggest that nurses should assess the status and level of smartphone usage among older people and plan approaches that enable them to utilize various smartphone functions to improve the well-being of this population.

Association Between Social Frailty and Life Satisfaction Among Older Adults: The Role of Functional Limitations and Depressive Symptoms

The current study aimed to identify life satisfaction depending on the degree of social frailty and explore the mediating role of functional limitations and depressive symptoms between social frailty and life satisfaction. A secondary analysis of a cross-sectional survey was used. Data of 6,479 older adults were selected from the 2020 National Survey of Older Koreans. Of all participants, 2,595 (40.1%) and 1,605 (24.8%) had social prefrailty and frailty, respectively. Life satisfaction of participants with social frailty was significantly worse than those without social frailty. Social frailty negatively influenced life satisfaction. Functional limitations and depressive symptoms serially mediated the association between social frailty and life satisfaction. This mediation model provided evidence of the associations among social frailty, functional limitations, depressive symptoms, and life satisfaction in older adults. In community care settings, nurses should recognize the assessment of social frailty to enhance the subjective well-being of older adults. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 16(6), 291-300.].

The mechanisms underlying the negative effect of socioeconomic status on depressive symptoms among older adults: The roles of social support and living arrangement

OBJECTIVES

Previous studies have found an association between socioeconomic status (SES) and depressive symptoms among older adults, however the mechanisms underlying this association remained unclear. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of social support and the moderating role of living arrangement in the association between SES and depressive symptoms.

METHODS

Data was collected from the 2020 Household Health Interview Survey in Taian city, Shandong Province, China. A total of 3896 older adults aged 60 and above were included in this study. Depressive symptoms was measured by the Patient health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Social support by the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and other variables by related demographic scales. The moderated mediation model was examined using HAYES PROCESS 3.5.

RESULTS

SES negatively predicted depressive symptoms among older adults, and social support could mediate this association. Living arrangement played a moderating role in the relationship between social support and depressive symptoms (the second half of the mediating effect), and the effect was stronger among older adults who lived alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Social support partially mediated the relationship between SES and depressive symptoms among older adults, and living alone strengthened the effect of social support on depressive symptoms. Interventions that address older adults' social support and living arrangement may ameliorate depressive symptoms among older adults.

The multiple mediating effect of family health and perceived social support on depressive symptoms in older adults: A cross-sectional national survey in China

BACKGROUND

Depression harms older adults' physical health and quality of life, especially for those with disabilities. This study aims to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of depressive symptoms in older adults and influencing factors involving neuroticism in China.

METHODS

A multistage random sampling method was adopted to recruit older adults. We conducted a multiple mediating analysis to explore how overall family health and perceived social support affect the relationship between neuroticism and depressive symptoms in older adults.

RESULTS

A total of 1122 older adults were included in this study, and 529 individuals reported suffering from depressive symptoms (47.1 %). Mediation analysis results indicated that neuroticism had a direct predictive effect on depressive symptoms in older adults. Family health and perceived social support partly mediated the relationship between neuroticism and depressive symptoms in older adults. Moreover, depressive symptoms in older adults with high neuroticism was directly affected by decreasing family health and indirectly and cumulatively aggravated by the mediation of lower perceived social support.

LIMITATIONS

The cross-sectional study design limits the conclusion about causation and directionality.

CONCLUSIONS

Family health and perceived social support can prevent depressive symptoms in older adults with high neuroticism.

Symptoms of depression, perceived social support, and medical coping modes among middle-aged and elderly patients with type 2 diabetes

Objective: To understand the prevalence of depression in diabetes population, explore the relationship between diabetes and depression, and the impact of comprehensive psychological and behavioral intervention on depression related to diabetes and glucose metabolism.

Methods: 71 middle-aged and elderly patients with type 2 diabetes were investigated and evaluated with Self Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Medical Coping Scale (MCWQ) and Social Support Scale (PSSS). Patients who met the research criteria were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group. The number of effective cases in the two groups was 36 and 35 respectively. In addition to conventional diabetes drug treatment, the experimental group was supplemented with comprehensive psychological and behavioral intervention, while the control group was only given conventional treatment. The fasting blood glucose, 2-h postprandial blood glucose, body weight and depression index were measured before and after treatment in the two groups.

Results: The prevalence of depression in patients with diabetes was as high as 60%, and that in the elderly control group was 5%; In type 2 diabetes population, depression is negatively related to the total score of social support and medical coping surface, and positively related to avoidance, blood sugar, women, course of disease, education level below junior high school, body mass index, and number of complications in medical coping; The fasting blood glucose, 2-h postprandial blood glucose, body mass index, and depression index of the two groups decreased, and the range and speed of decline in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group; There were significant differences between the two groups in fasting blood glucose, 2-h postprandial blood glucose and depression index; During the follow-up period, the blood glucose and depression index of the experimental group increased.

Conclusion: Depression has a high prevalence rate in middle-aged and elderly people with type 2 diabetes, and has a negative impact on blood sugar control in diabetes patients; Psychological and behavioral comprehensive intervention can improve the glucose metabolism and depressive symptoms of middle-aged and elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.

Positive attributes in elderly people with different degrees of depression: a study based on network analysis

INTRODUCTION

Depression in aging may lead to loss of autonomy and worsening of comorbidities. Understanding how positive attributes contribute to healthier and happier aging has been one of the purposes of Positive Psychology. However, the literature still lacks studies that evaluate how depression in the elderly is related to constructs considered positive.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed comparing scores of constructs of spiritual well-being, social support, self-esteem, life satisfaction, affection, optimism, and hope in the elderly with minimal, mild, moderate, and severe depression and healthy controls in order to investigate possible indirect and mediated relationships between positive constructs and depression.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted with elderly, 62 of whom were diagnosed with different severity of Major Depression (DSM-V) (minimum, mild, moderate, and severe according to the Beck Depression Inventory - BDI) and 66 healthy controls matched by age, sex and schooling. The instruments used were adapted and validated versions of the Spirituality Self-Rating Scale, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Medical Outcomes Social Scale of Support, the Life Satisfaction Scale, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, the Revised Life Orientation Test, and the Adult Dispositional Hope Scale. After comparing the means of scores between groups, an analysis of normalized partial association networks was performed to investigate the direct and mediated relationships between depression and other evaluated constructs.

RESULTS

Scores of spiritual well-being, social support, self-esteem, life satisfaction, positive affect, optimism, negative affects, and hope differed significantly between the control group and the degrees of depression (p < 0.001). The analysis of normalized partial association networks has shown that the relations of depression with the constructs of life satisfaction, self-esteem, and social support are mediated, while the constructs of dispositional hope, positive affect, spiritual well-being, and optimism are indirectly related to depression. The social class was also positively related to depression.

CONCLUSION

Depression in different degrees is associated with a reduction in the scores of instruments that evaluate positive attributes. The constructs directly associated with depression are spiritual well-being, optimism, positive affect, and dispositional hope. The others had mediated relationship. These results may contribute to the planning of future interventions for the prevention of depression among the elderly.

Life Satisfaction in a Clinical and a Nonclinical Group of Older People: The Role of Self-Compassion and Social Support

Despite the health-promoting role of life satisfaction, little is known about its determining factors in older people with mental health problems compared to nonclinical participants. This study provides preliminary data into the role of social support, self-compassion, and meaning in life on older people's life satisfaction within both clinical and non-clinical populations. In total, 153 older adults (age ≥60) completed the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ), and questions for relational variables. Hierarchical logistic regression analysis revealed that determinants of life satisfaction were self-kindness (B = 2.036, p = .001) and intimate friends' network (B = 2.725, p = .021), while family relationships were found to be significant among the clinical group (B = 4.556, p = .024). Findings are discussed in relation to incorporating self-kindness and rapport with family in clinical work with older adults to better promote their well-being.

The moderating effect of cognitive function on the association between social support and depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults: Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses

BACKGROUND

The moderating effect of cognitive function on the association between social support and late-life depressive symptoms has not been thoroughly investigated. Identifying cognitive function as a possible moderator of this association might help plan community-based interventions for late-life depressive symptoms.

METHODS

Participants were community-dwelling older adults who visited a community-based mental health center. The ENRICHD Social Support Instrument and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale were used to evaluate social support and depressive symptoms, respectively. Cognitive function was assessed using the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination. Data from 1088 and 506 participants were included in the cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to assess the effects of social support on depressive symptoms and the possible moderating effect of cognition.

RESULTS

After adjusting for possible confounders, greater social support at baseline was associated with fewer depressive symptoms in both cross-sectional (estimate = -0.25 standard error [SE] = 0.03, P < 0.001) and longitudinal analyses (estimate = -0.11, SE = 0.05, P = 0.014). Moreover, the association between social support and depressive symptoms was significantly moderated by cognitive function (P for interaction < 0.001 for cross-sectional analysis, and P for interaction = 0.011 for longitudinal analysis).

LIMITATIONS

The tool for assessing social support was self-reported. There may have been a selection bias in the study sample.

CONCLUSIONS

Greater social support was associated with fewer late-life depressive symptoms in both analyses. However, social support may have less benefits for alleviating depressive symptoms in older adults with cognitive decline.

Different Effects of Perceived Social Support on the Relationship between Perceived Stress and Depression among University Students with Borderline Personality Disorder Symptoms: A Multigroup Mediation Analysis

Background: While perceived social support can mediate the relationship between perceived stress and depression, little is known about the differences between individuals with high and low borderline personality disorder symptoms (BPDS). This study aimed to investigate the associations among perceived stress, perceived social support, and depression, and compare low and high levels of BPDS. Methods. This cross-sectional analysis was a secondary analysis of data from the SI-Bord study. University students across Thailand completed a screening instrument for borderline personality disorder, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Revised Thai Multi-dimensional Scales of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and the Patient-Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9. Mediation analysis using PROCESS was applied to test the direct and indirect effects of perceived stress on depression. Multigroup mediational analysis was adopted to compare low and high levels of BPDS. Results. The mean age of the 330 participants was 20.27 (SD, 1.4) and 80% were female. Significant correlations were observed between the PSS, MSPSS, and PHQ scores, with greater magnitude among the high-level BPDS group (p < 0.001). A significant direct effect on perceived stress and a significant indirect effect on depression through perceived social support were noted. Of all the sources of social support, only the significant others variable significantly differed between the two groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Perception of social support had a significant mediating role in perceived stress and depression. The magnitude of associations was remarkably high for individuals with high BPDS compared to those with low BPDS. Unlike those with low BPDS, all sources of social support were significant mediators between the two groups.

The mechanisms underlying the negative effect of depression on life satisfaction among the elderly: the roles of ostracism and economic income

OBJECTIVES

Depression is prevalent among older persons, which seriously threatens their life satisfaction. This study aimed to explore the internal mechanisms by which depression influences life satisfaction among the elderly, as well as the mediating and moderating effects of ostracism and economic income, respectively, in a sample of rural older adults across China.

DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional survey conducted as part of the project "Thousands of People and Hundreds of Villages (2019)."

SETTING

Participants were rural older adults from 31 provincial-level administrative units across China.

PARTICIPANTS

The sample composed of 1,754 participants aged 60 years and over.

MEASUREMENTS

Depression was assessed with the depression subscale of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales, life satisfaction with the Satisfaction with Life Scale, ostracism with the Ostracism Experience Scale (OES), and economic income and other control variables with related demographic scales. Moderation and mediation analyses were performed using the regression-based approach as conducted by Hayes ().

RESULTS

Depression negatively predicted life satisfaction among the elderly. Ostracism played a partially mediating role between depression and life satisfaction. Economic income moderated the effect of depression and ostracism on life satisfaction: High economic income weakened the negative effect of depression on life satisfaction and enhanced the negative effect of ostracism on life satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

Improving depressed elderly people's interpersonal relationships and financial support could improve their life satisfaction.

Predictors for quality of life among older adults with depressive disorders: A prospective 3-month follow-up cohort study

PURPOSE

The study aimed to investigate the predictive factors for quality of life among subjects with late-life depression.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Data including depressive symptoms assessed by the Hamilton Rating Scale of Depression (HAMD), geriatric depression scale (GDS), perceived stress scale (PSS), multidimensional scale for perceived social support, and the EQ-5D scale were collected at baseline and at 3-month follow-up from 264 participants.

FINDINGS

After controlling for covariates, time, GDS, PSS, HAMD, and living alone were confirmed predictors for change of EQ-5D scores.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Perceived stress is important, and intervention to reduce stress especially in early treatment of depressive disorder should be encouraged.

Mental state, biological rhythm and social support among healthcare workers during the early stages of the COVID-19 epidemic in Wuhan

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has put the mental health of healthcare workers at risk. However, the potential psychosocial factors underlying mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, require further investigation. The present study aimed to explore the factors that influence the mental state of healthcare workers.

Methods

A total of 276 healthcare workers completed a set of online self-report questionnaires from February 2 to 5, 2020, in the following order: general information related to the COVID-19 outbreak, Biological Rhythms Interview of Assessment in Neuropsychiatry, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Social Support Rating Scale.

Results

Our study revealed that both social support and age moderated the ability of biological rhythm disturbance to exacerbate depression (R² = 0.47; effect size f² = 0.85). Higher levels of social support buffered the amplification of depression associated with increased biological rhythm disturbance in all age groups, and especially in younger individuals (mean age = 26.57, se = 0.04). Depressive symptoms were predicted by both social and sleeping rhythms, whereas anxiety symptoms were predicted only by social rhythm. Married individuals had lower biological rhythm disturbance ratings and higher social support ratings. Females also reported higher ratings in social support.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that biological rhythm intervention along with social support can reduce the negative effect of biological rhythm disturbance on mood disorders, especially in younger people. We also provide evidence for the ability of social support to buffer stress in a major health crisis and demonstrate the effects of marital status and sex, which provide a different perspective for studying mental crisis management.

Common psychological disorders in elderly and their correlations with social support, Shiraz, Iran, 2018†

Objective

To recognize and screen common mental disorders in elderlies and determine their relationship with social support in Shiraz, Iran.

Methods

In this cross-sectional analytical study, 400 elderlies aged >60 years from Shiraz were selected through stratified random sampling. Data collection was done by 3 demographic data, Medical Outcome Study (MOS), social support, and standardization of mental disorders symptoms checklist 90 (SCL-90) questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS 22, using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, and univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses. A P value <0.05 was regarded as statistically significant.

Results

A total of 400 elderlies (mean age = 67.39 ± 6.89), among whom 204 individuals were female (51%), participated in the study. Somatization and phobic anxiety were the most (68.9%) and least (14.2%) prevalent disorders, respectively. The average total score of social support was 85.59 + 3.5. Social support and its 5 subscales showed statistically significant negative correlation with SCL-90 total scores and its 9 domains (P < 0.05). A 1-point increase in social support score results in reduction in the psychological disorders score by 0.35 point (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

It seems necessary to plan and make policies by the authorities to increase social support and reduce the burden of common mental disorders in the elderly.

Relationships Between Perceived Neighborhood Disorder and Depressive Symptomatology: The Stress Buffering Effects of Social Support Among Older Adults

Existing research indicates neighborhood is an important determinant of depressive symptoms. However, this research has several limitations. These include a lack of investigation of older adults' experiences and of social support as a possible moderator. The current study aims to fill these gaps by increasing knowledge about the relationships between perceived neighborhood disorder and depressive symptoms among older adults. Applying stress process theory, this study investigated the relationships between two subjective indicators of neighborhood stressors - physical and social perceived neighborhood disorder and depressive symptoms. This study also tested whether social support moderated the effects of the neighborhood stressors on depressive symptoms. This study was based on secondary data analysis from the Health and Retirement Study 2016 (N = 3,684; age 50+). This study applied a negative binomial regression in that the outcome was a count variable. The results showed the stress buffering effects of social support were not significant for both perceived neighborhood social disorder and physical disorder. Not as a moderator but as the main effect, lower social support was significantly related to higher depressive symptoms. Having a depression history, lower self-rated health, female, and lower education were also related to higher depressive symptoms. This study contributes to social work practice by addressing older adults' depressive symptomatology. Findings identified vulnerable older adults to target for interventions based on individual characteristics. Focusing on social support should be a vital component of interventions. Social workers can help older adults maintain and strengthen their social support, with beneficial effects on their depressive symptomatology.

Mental distress of parents with chronic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: A prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To-date there has been limited examination of the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic in parents who suffer from chronic physical conditions. We aimed to 1) examine whether presence of a chronic disease predicts differential latent distress profile memberships, and 2) assess factors that could predict different distress profiles in the sub-group of parents with a chronic disease.

METHODS

We used a sample of 1618 parents, from the longitudinal COVID-19 Pandemic Adjustment Study, who completed a measure of mental distress (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale) at 13 data collection points. Distress profiles were assessed with the latent profile analysis.

RESULTS

We identified four distinct mental distress profile memberships, with the most common membership characterised by very low (48.1%), followed by low (31.9%), moderate (15.7%), and high (4.3%) distress scores. A higher proportion of parents with chronic diseases belonged to profiles experiencing low (34.7% vs. 30.4%), moderate (18.7% vs. 14.1%), and high (5.5% vs. 3.7%) compared to very low (41.2% vs. 51.8%) distress levels than other parents. Residing in Victoria, younger age, lower levels of social support and appraisal of COVID as risk were associated with membership to higher compared to very low distress profiles.

CONCLUSION

Our findings highlight the importance of considering chronic disease co-morbidity as an additive risk factor in addressing mental health outcomes of parents during pandemic-like events, since parents with chronic conditions are more vulnerable to experiencing worse mental distress. Future interventions should focus on ways to strengthen social support and provide guidance for managing threat appraisal.

Mental health and factors related to life satisfaction in nursing home and community-dwelling older adults during COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey

BACKGROUND

The geriatric population is supposed to be at high risk for psychological distress as well as adverse outcomes and mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to investigate the levels of depression, anxiety, death anxiety and life satisfaction levels and factors related to life satisfaction in individuals aged 65 years and older during the pandemic and to compare these variables between nursing home (NH) and community-dwelling older adults.

METHOD

This study has a cross-sectional and descriptive design, and a total of 133 nursing NH and community-dwelling older adults were enrolled in the study. Turkish death anxiety scale (TDAS), life satisfaction scale (SLS) and depression anxiety stress scale-21 (DASS-21) were used for the assessment.

RESULTS

The majority of the older adults had no or mild depression, anxiety and stress symptoms in spite of the prolonged confinements, and were slightly satisfied with their lives. However, depression, anxiety, stress and TDAS levels were higher in participants aged 80 years and older. Residents of NHs had higher TDAS, depression and anxiety levels and lower SLS levels than community-dwelling older adults. Participants who were meeting their children and/or grandchildren less than 2 h a week, were found to have significantly lower SLS and higher depression scores. The increase in depression and TDAS scores predicted a decrease in SLS scores in older adults.

CONCLUSIONS

As NH resident older adults have higher psychological distress and decreased life satisfaction due to the social isolation caused by the prolonged confinements, NH staff should be regularly informed on both preventive measures and mental health consequences of the pandemic, and should be trained for basic therapeutic interventions. Older adults should be supported to use telecommunication technologies to contact their families and friends, and participate in safe and accessible person-centred activity programs.

“We Need such a Space”: Residents’ Motives for Visiting Urban Green Spaces during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Since the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia in 2019, several cities have been blocked to prevent the expansion of the infection. This qualitative study aimed to determine the motives of urban residents for visiting urban green spaces during the epidemic (especially within the context of the city blockade), and what might weaken these motives. In total, 47 residents (17 men and 30 women) were recruited from Chengdu, in China, to participate in interviews. A thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview data. According to the results, the motives of the respondents were divided into strong motives and weak motives. These strong motives for visiting UGS can be divided into four themes: “A place for health”, “Escape”, “Social support”, and “A safe and important place for outdoor activities”. Residents classified as the weak motive primarily considered the reasons of “Keep distance with others”, “Potential infection risk” and “Seek compensation”. The results of this study are significant for current and future urban management, green space planning, and social well-being.

Life satisfaction in late adult span: the contribution of family relationships, health self-perception and physical activity

BACKGROUND

Life satisfaction is a crucial facet of subjective well-being, being impacted by different factors, such as cognitive and physical health, and social functioning.

AIMS

This study intended to investigate the impact of satisfaction with family ties, education, negative mood and health self-perception on life satisfaction in late adulthood.

METHODS

One hundred fifteen cognitively intact 75-101-year-old participants competed a battery of tools assessing cognitive efficiency and self-referent measures of life satisfaction, perceived physical health, negative mood and satisfaction with family relations.

RESULTS

A series of step-wise regression analyses showed that satisfaction with family ties with and without perceived physical health predicted different indexes of life satisfaction. Moreover, more physically active participants reported fewer depressive symptoms and better life satisfaction with their time occupied in leisure activities than more sedentary respondents.

CONCLUSION

Perceived emotional connection with family members and a physically active lifestyle represent the most significant protective factors to boost self-reported life satisfaction in late adulthood.

How Does Perceived Health Status Affect Depression in Older Adults? Roles of Attitude toward Aging and Social Support

Objectives: This study aims to test the mediating effect of attitude toward aging and the moderating effect of social support in the association between perceived health status and depression in older adults. Methods: The study hypotheses were tested by using quantitative data collected from 6485 Chinese older adults. SPSS macro PROCESS was employed to analyze the data. Results: The results show that the relationship between perceived health status and depression in older adults is mediated by their attitude toward aging. In addition, both direct and indirect impacts of perceived health status on depression are significantly buffered by social support. Conclusions: This study suggests a potential mediating role of attitude toward aging and a moderating role of social support in the association between physical health and mental health among older adults. Clinical Implications: The findings of the study suggest that clinicians might need to consider attitudes toward aging along with social support as they work with older adults with comorbid physical illnesses and depression. The findings also reveal that social support is not only about the external resources that older adults need to cope with stressful life events, but also serves as an inner sustenance to make older adults less sensitive to the deleterious effects of poor health status and negative attitude toward aging.

Gender Differences in Factors Affecting Life Satisfaction of the Elderly with Multimorbidity in Korea

To enhance the life satisfaction of the elderly with multimorbidity, it is necessary to investigate the relevant factors and to examine the differences in factors according to gender. The aim of this study was to identify factors affecting life satisfaction of the elderly with multimorbidity in the community by gender in Korea. We analyzed data from 2140 participants with multimorbidity who were aged 65 or older and participated in the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (KLoSA) in 2016. A multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the factors affecting life satisfaction among male and female older participants with multimorbidity. The most common pattern of multimorbidity of women was hypertension and arthritis/rheumatism, while that of men was hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Some factors, such as depression, exercise, and number of chronic diseases, affected both male and female participants, but others related to life satisfaction varied by gender. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the characteristics of multiple chronic diseases, and policy support should be provided in consideration of gender differences to improve the life satisfaction of the elderly.

Buffering Academic Stress during the COVID-19 Pandemic Related Social Isolation: Grit and Growth Mindset as Protective Factors against the Impact of Loneliness

The pandemic of the SARS CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19 sickness, constitutes a global challenge to well-being. Positive psychology constructs of grit and growth mindset may offer a solution to this challenge as both are associated with psychological resilience. A growth mindset describes the underlying beliefs people have about the malleability of intelligence, and grit refers to dedication to long-term goals. The present study explored whether such constructs could constitute protective factors against the academic stress associated with loneliness and perceived lack of control among international students (n = 170) during social isolation, induced by COVID-19 restrictions. The results of a hierarchical multiple regression model explained 36% of the variance in academic stress with a perceived lack of control (ß = .53, p < .001) and growth mindset (ß = -.22, p < .001) being significant direct predictors. Moderation analysis explained 17% of the variance and confirmed that a level of dispositional grit moderated the detrimental influence loneliness had on academic stress. Simple slopes analysis revealed a significant effect for moderate (β = .07, p = .01) and high (β = .16, p = .001) levels of grit. Our findings suggest that grit and growth mindset, as dynamic variables, could be taught to students as resilience-building prevention of academic stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lastly, our results have shown that parents (37%) and friends (32%) were most frequently identified by students as supporters during the COVID-19 pandemic with minimal reported support from universities (2.5%).

Perceived social support and depression symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder in Taiwan: An association study

This study analyzes the association between social support and depression symptoms of inpatients with major depressive disorder. A total of 160 inpatients were recruited from the acute psychiatric ward of a medical center in northern Taiwan between July 1, 2015, and December 31, 2016. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, simple linear regression and multiple linear regression. Our results reveal that patient depression level is significantly associated with gender, age, marital status, education, occupation and number of admissions due to depression. Social support is significantly associated with marital status and number of admissions due to depression. The depression symptoms of the patients were significantly and negatively associated with overall perceived social support and perceived social support from family, friends and a significant other. These results could serve as a reference for the clinical practice of clinical specialists and argue for the inclusion of social support as an intervention for patients with depression.

Reciprocal effects of depressive symptoms and life satisfaction among Chinese older married couples from 2010 to 2014: evidence from the China Family Panel Studies

Objectives: Depressive symptoms and life satisfaction are closely related among the older adults. However, investigation of the dyadic influence of depressive symptoms and life satisfaction among Chinese older married couples is limited. The current study aimed to investigate the reciprocal effects of life satisfaction and depressive symptoms longitudinally among a sample of Chinese older married couples.Method: The current sample consisted of 1,877 older married couples from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). Depressive symptoms and life satisfaction were measured at the 2010 baseline and the 2014 assessment. Age, income, education, physical health, and length of marriage measured at baseline were included as the controlled variables. Data was analyzed with the longitudinal actor-partner interdependence models.Results: One's life satisfaction and depressive symptoms were significantly associated with his/her own life satisfaction and depressive symptoms longitudinally. In addition, higher levels of wives' depressive symptoms in 2010 were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms and lower levels of life satisfaction among their husbands in 2014. Higher levels of husbands' life satisfaction in 2010 were associated with higher levels of wives' life satisfaction in 2014.Conclusion: The current study found both actor and partner effects in the long-term association between depressive symptoms and life satisfaction. Among these older married couples, husbands were the 'receivers' of their wives' depressive symptoms and the 'senders' of life satisfaction. Practitioners aiming to promote the well-beings of older married adults need to consider the dyadic influences given the significant partner effects found in the current study.

Perceived Health and Life Satisfaction of Elderly People: Testing the Moderating Effects of Social Support, Attitudes Toward Aging, and Senior Privilege

As health declines with age, it is critical to explore moderators that could buffer the impact of declining health on life satisfaction of elderly people. This study aims to test the moderating effects of social support, attitudes toward aging, and senior privilege on the relationship between perceived health and life satisfaction among elderly people. The study used a sample of 5809 Chinese elderly people. Multiple regression analyses were performed to test the moderating effects of the study variables along with gender difference. The results show that social support and attitudes toward aging do not moderate the relationship between perceived health and life satisfaction; senior privilege however, amplifies the impact of perceived health on life satisfaction for female elderly people. The findings recommend personalized provision of senior privilege based on health status and types of diseases, rather than only based on age; and suggest tailored female-oriented social services such as psychological counseling and humanistic care.

A comparative study of socioeconomic status, perceived social support and psychological distress of mothers of children with and without disabilities

Background/Aims

Quality of life has been defined as a measure of a person's physical wellbeing, psychological state, and social relationships. However, comparisons of psychological distress, socioeconomic status, and social support between mothers of children with and without disabilities have been limited, particularly in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study is to comparatively evaluate the socioeconomic status, perceived social support, and psychological distress of mothers of children with and without disabilities.

Methods

The Socio-Demographic Information Form, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales were completed by 200 mothers of children with cerebral palsy or Down's syndrome and 100 mothers of children without disabilities.

Results

Welch's test indicated significant differences between the two groups on the total Depression Anxiety Stress Scales and all its subscales (<0.01) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support Friends subscale (0.02).

Conclusions

Mothers of children with disabilities perceived high levels of overall social support, which might have reduced their psychological distress. It is recommended for rehabilitation centres to organise support groups for family members. It will also be beneficial for families of children with disabilities, if heath sector policy makers can review and develop effective socioeconomic policies to improve their standards of living.

Resource or Hindrance? The benefits and costs of social support for functional difficulties and its implications for depressive symptoms

OBJECTIVES

The impact of social support on the relationship between stress and well-being remains somewhat inconclusive, with work suggesting either null, buffering, or amplification effects. The current study investigated the conditions in which perceived social support is likely to act as a buffer or amplifier by considering individual differences in self-perceptions of aging.

METHODS

Using data from two subsamples of the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (graduates: 70-74 years, siblings: 40-92 years), we examined how perceived social support (emotional versus instrumental) and self-perceptions of aging (SPA) moderated the effect of functional limitations on depressive symptoms (DS).

RESULTS

Although emotional support positively predicted DS, its effects did not depend on SPA. Instrumental support was associated with both increases and decreases in well-being that were dependent upon SPA. Functional limitations predicted more DS at both low and high levels of instrumental support when SPA were negative. However, when SPA were positive, low levels of social support were found to decrease depressive symptoms, and high levels were found to increase depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

The impact of social social may enhance or deteriorate well-being, depending on how it interacts with self-evaluative beliefs. Findings offer insights as to the boundary conditions associated with the (positive) effects of social support and SPA, and highlight the need for continued research on the mechanisms associated these effects.

Orthostatic hypotension in patients with late-life depression: Prevalence and validation of a new screening tool

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of orthostatic hypotension (OH) in a sample of late life depression (LLD) patients and to determine the validity of a standardized questionnaire, the Orthostatic Hypotension Questionnaire (OHQ). Secondarily, we wished to assess variables associated with OH.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study on 82 consecutive geriatric outpatients presenting with LLD. OH was defined as a fall in systolic blood pressure of greater than 20 mm Hg and/or 10 mm Hg on diastolic blood pressure on an orthostatic stress test from sitting to standing. Logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with OH.

RESULTS

The prevalence of OH as measured on the orthostatic stress test and on the OHQ was 28% and 57%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the OHQ were 69.6% (95% CI 47%-87%), 47.5% (95%CI 34%-61%), 0.54 (95% CI: 0.43-0.64), 34% (95%CI 21%-49%), and 80% (95%CI 63%-92%), respectively. Females were more likely to have OH (OR: 3.96, 95%CI 1.06-14.89, P = .041), and those married or in a common-law relationship were less likely to have OH (OR: 0.25, 95% CI 0.08-0.72, P = .011).

CONCLUSIONS

OH is common in patients with LLD conferring them a risk of gait instability and falls. Females had a higher risk of having OH while participants who were married or in a common-law relationship were less likely to have OH. Although the OHQ is a quick to administer paper-based screening test, it did not show adequate diagnostic accuracy in patients with LLD seen in a routine psychiatry clinic.

The Paradox of Well-Being and Holocaust Survivors

BACKGROUND

Life satisfaction is a core component of well-being. Across age groups, satisfaction with life was found to be integral to individual mental and physical health. Surprisingly, there appears to be little or no association between age and life satisfaction. Recent longitudinal research suggests that life satisfaction may even increase in late life. This is known as the paradox of well-being.

OBJECTIVE

To compare levels of life satisfaction reported by Israeli Holocaust survivors (HS) vis-à-vis other older Israelis and older Canadians.

DESIGN

We interviewed 295 HS, 205 other older Israelis, and 335 older Canadians each of whom completed the Life Satisfaction Scale with items measuring both concurrent and retrospective aspects. Separate confirmatory factor analytic models were computed for each group.

RESULTS

Overall, levels of life satisfaction were indistinguishable across groups. Both concurrent and retrospective items contributed significantly to measurement of a single latent construct. Yet differences between groups in the latent structure of response to certain scale items emerged.

CONCLUSIONS

It may be that HS report high life satisfaction not despite, but because of, experiencing early life trauma, juxtaposing early years with the comparatively good conditions of their lives today.

Is the Relationship between Depression and C Reactive Protein Level Moderated by Social Support in Elderly?-Korean Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (KSHAP)

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the buffering effects of social support as an effects modifier in the association between depression and inflammation in the elderly.

METHODS

We analyzed the Korean Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (KSHAP) for questionnaire, clinical, and laboratory data of 530 older adults living in a rural community. Multivariate regression models were used to investigate the association between depressive symptoms and C-reactive protein level (CRP), a marker of inflammation, at varying levels of social support.

RESULTS

Social support affected the association between depressive symptoms and CRP level in both sexes. However, the direction of effects modification was different for men and women. In men, a higher CRP level was significantly associated with depressive symptoms only among those with lower support from a spouse or family members. By contrast, in women, the association was significant only among subgroups with higher spousal or family support. Social support from neighbors or friends did not affect the depression-inflammation relationship in men but modestly affected the relationship in women.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that social support may have a buffering effect in the relationship between depression and inflammation in elderly Koreans. But the influence of social support may run in different directions for men and women.

Age-Friendliness and Life Satisfaction of Young-Old and Old-Old in Hong Kong

Age-friendliness, promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to enable and support individuals in different aspects of life for fostering life satisfaction and personal well-being as they age. We identified specific aspect(s) of age-friendliness associated with life satisfaction and examined similarities and differences in age-friendliness and life satisfaction in young-old and old-old adults. Six hundred and eighty-two ageing adults were asked to complete a survey questionnaire consisting of the Age-friendly City Scale, Satisfaction with Life Scale, and sociodemographic variables. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the effects of various domains of age-friendliness on life satisfaction among the young-old adults (aged 65 to 74, n = 351) and the old-old adults (aged 75 to 97, n = 331). Common domains associated with life satisfaction in both young-old and old-old groups were transportation and social participation. Community and health services were associated with life satisfaction for the young-old group only. On the other hand, civic participation and employment was significantly associated with the old-old group only. Social participation is important for the young-old and the old-old. Ageing older adults can be a resource to the society. Implications for promoting and implementing age-friendliness were discussed in the context of successful and productive ageing and the need for a more refined taxonomy of social activities.