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The Moderating Effect of Social Support between Loneliness and Depression: Differences between the Young-Old and the Old-Old

Author

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  • Hyegyeong Son

    (College of Nursing, Kosin University, Busan 49104, Korea)

  • Heeran J. Cho

    (Department of Health Administration, Yonsei University, Seoul 03021, Korea)

  • Sunghwan Cho

    (School of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA)

  • Juhyun Ryu

    (Graduate School of Social Welfare, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea)

  • Sunghee Kim

    (Graduate School of Social Welfare, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea)

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the moderation of social support in the association between loneliness and depression in different age groups of older adults. The sample consisted of 1532 community-dwelling adults aged 65 years or older, based on the data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP), Wave 3 (2015–2016). Eleven items of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) were used to measure depressive symptoms. Similarly, a four-item scale was used to measure social support (each from spouse and family), and a three-item scale for loneliness. The results were as follows. Loneliness was associated with depression in both the young-old and the old-old groups. Spousal support and family support were associated with reduced depression in the young-old group, whereas only spousal support was associated with relieving depression in the old-old group. Social support had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between loneliness and depression in the old-old group, whereas it had no significant effect in the young-old group. From these results, it can be concluded that spousal support plays a significant role in seniors’ mental health. The role of caregivers for a person’s well-being grows later in life, so practitioners could help couples communicate with this consideration. In addition, regular contacts with family members and spousal support are recommended to prevent older old adults’ depression.

Suggested Citation

  • Hyegyeong Son & Heeran J. Cho & Sunghwan Cho & Juhyun Ryu & Sunghee Kim, 2022. "The Moderating Effect of Social Support between Loneliness and Depression: Differences between the Young-Old and the Old-Old," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-10, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:4:p:2322-:d:751940
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Frances K. Barg & Rebecca Huss-Ashmore & Marsha N. Wittink & Genevra F. Murray & Hillary R. Bogner & Joseph J. Gallo, 2006. "A Mixed-Methods Approach to Understanding Loneliness and Depression in Older Adults," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 61(6), pages 329-339.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nikki Dean Marshall & Benjamin John Partridge & Jade Mason & Chanda Purba & Amanda Sian & Jessica Tanner & Rosie Martin, 2023. "“It’s Gone from More of Convenience to Necessity at This Point” Exploring Online Dating Use in the UK during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Thematic Analysis," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-15, October.
    2. Shi Chen & Yi Sun & Bo Kyong Seo, 2022. "The Effects of Public Open Space on Older People’s Well-Being: From Neighborhood Social Cohesion to Place Dependence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-16, December.

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