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Depressive Symptoms and Ageism among Nursing Home Residents: The Role of Social Support

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  • Dongjuan Xu

    (School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
    School of Nursing, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Yaqi Wang

    (School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Ming Li

    (School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China)

  • Meng Zhao

    (School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China)

  • Zhenhua Yang

    (School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China)

  • Kefang Wang

    (School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China)

Abstract

(1) Background: Ageism refers to the stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination against older individuals or groups based on their age. This study investigates the modifying role of social support in the relationship between depressive symptoms and ageism in China; (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in 21 nursing homes in Jinan from March to June in 2019. The data were analyzed through a multilevel mixed-effects generalized linear model; (3) The analysis showed that older adults in nursing homes experienced moderate levels of ageism. There were significant interaction effects between depressive symptoms and social support on overall ageism and objective ageism after controlling for covariates ( p < 0.05). As the level of social support increased, the predicted ageism greatly reduced among older adults without depressive symptoms when compared to those with depressive symptoms; (4) Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of identifying strategies to enhance social support and reduce depressive symptoms for nursing home residents. Having positive attitudes toward aging and overcoming negative age-related stereotypes may benefit older adults’ physical and mental health, well-being, and help to promote an age-friendly society.

Suggested Citation

  • Dongjuan Xu & Yaqi Wang & Ming Li & Meng Zhao & Zhenhua Yang & Kefang Wang, 2022. "Depressive Symptoms and Ageism among Nursing Home Residents: The Role of Social Support," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-10, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12105-:d:924217
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Liat Ayalon, 2018. "Perceived Age Discrimination: A Precipitator or a Consequence of Depressive Symptoms?," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 73(5), pages 860-869.
    2. Isla Rippon & Paola Zaninotto & Andrew Steptoe, 2015. "Greater Perceived Age Discrimination in England than the United States: Results from HRS and ELSA," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 70(6), pages 925-933.
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