Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 54(3), April 2011, pp.246-259.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
Social isolation and inadequate social support have previously been identified as correlates of depression in older adults. This study aimed to describe the social networks of depressed older adults living in the community and to compare the social networks of depressed and nondepressed individuals. The study participants consisted of 91 respondents aged 65 and older who were randomly selected
Social isolation and inadequate social support have previously been identified as correlates of depression in older adults. This study aimed to describe the social networks of depressed older adults living in the community and to compare the social networks of depressed and nondepressed individuals. The study participants consisted of 91 respondents aged 65 and older who were randomly selected using the voter registry. About 27% (25) of the participants reported significant levels of depressive symptomology as measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D). The participants completed semi-structured interviews that included questions about social contacts with family and others during the prior week. All the participants reported social contact with family and friends during this period. The findings showed that, in this sample, the depressed elders were not socially isolated. They were more likely to report contacts with friends than those who were not depressed, and equally likely to report involvement in volunteer activities. Their likelihood of seeking social support was also comparable. The results emphasise the importance of peer relationships and suggest that, in some groups of older adults, social isolation may not be a hallmark of depressive symptoms.
Subject terms:
interpersonal relationships, older people, social networks, depression;
Social Science and Medicine, 67(11), December 2008, pp.1907-1916.
Publisher:
Elsevier
The purpose of the study was to examine gender differences in the association between changes in the balance of give and take in close relationships and depressive symptoms. Data from a 5-year prospective cohort study in Finland (HeSSup Study) (N = 18,445) were analyzed. After adjustment for demographic characteristics, recent negative life events, baseline depressive symptoms, hostility, and the supportiveness of social network, a shift of balance toward support receiving was a significant risk factor for future depressive symptoms among women. In contrast, men whose balance of give and take had moved toward support giving had a higher risk of future depressive symptoms than other men. When the analyses were replicated in a sub-cohort of initially non-depressed participants who lived in reciprocal relationships and had no recent life events, the results became even more pronounced among women, although not among men. It is concluded that, for women, a shift in their close relationships toward support receiving may lead to increased risk of depressive symptoms, whereas for men a shift toward giving may have a parallel though less evident impact.
The purpose of the study was to examine gender differences in the association between changes in the balance of give and take in close relationships and depressive symptoms. Data from a 5-year prospective cohort study in Finland (HeSSup Study) (N = 18,445) were analyzed. After adjustment for demographic characteristics, recent negative life events, baseline depressive symptoms, hostility, and the supportiveness of social network, a shift of balance toward support receiving was a significant risk factor for future depressive symptoms among women. In contrast, men whose balance of give and take had moved toward support giving had a higher risk of future depressive symptoms than other men. When the analyses were replicated in a sub-cohort of initially non-depressed participants who lived in reciprocal relationships and had no recent life events, the results became even more pronounced among women, although not among men. It is concluded that, for women, a shift in their close relationships toward support receiving may lead to increased risk of depressive symptoms, whereas for men a shift toward giving may have a parallel though less evident impact.
Subject terms:
interpersonal relationships, mental health problems, depression, gender;
Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 52(11), November 2008, pp.917-929.
Publisher:
Wiley
Adults with intellectual disability (ID) experience a high prevalence of depression. Yet, little research has investigated interpersonal processes related to depression in this population. This study examined the relation between excessive reassurance seeking, negative and rejecting social interactions and depression in adults with mild ID. Eighty-seven adults with mild ID and staff in the US completed the Glasgow Depression Scale for people with a Learning Disorder and the Reassurance-Seeking Scale. In addition, adults with mild ID reported on their experience of negative social interactions, and staff rated their relative preference to interact with the adult with mild ID. A meditational model of the indirect effect of excessive reassurance seeking on depressive symptoms via negative and rejecting social interactions was tested. Excessive reassurance seeking was positively related to depressive symptoms. Negative and rejecting interactions partially mediated the relation between excessive reassurance seeking and depressive symptoms. Findings identify an important interpersonal process in depression. Efforts to educate staff and adults with mild ID about excessive reassurance seeking and ways to alter it may be useful in treating depression.
Adults with intellectual disability (ID) experience a high prevalence of depression. Yet, little research has investigated interpersonal processes related to depression in this population. This study examined the relation between excessive reassurance seeking, negative and rejecting social interactions and depression in adults with mild ID. Eighty-seven adults with mild ID and staff in the US completed the Glasgow Depression Scale for people with a Learning Disorder and the Reassurance-Seeking Scale. In addition, adults with mild ID reported on their experience of negative social interactions, and staff rated their relative preference to interact with the adult with mild ID. A meditational model of the indirect effect of excessive reassurance seeking on depressive symptoms via negative and rejecting social interactions was tested. Excessive reassurance seeking was positively related to depressive symptoms. Negative and rejecting interactions partially mediated the relation between excessive reassurance seeking and depressive symptoms. Findings identify an important interpersonal process in depression. Efforts to educate staff and adults with mild ID about excessive reassurance seeking and ways to alter it may be useful in treating depression.
Subject terms:
interpersonal relationships, learning disabilities, social skills, depression;
Informal caregiving has been found to be burdensome and is associated with depression among older caregivers. These outcomes are often accentuated when caregivers and care recipients co-reside. The current study aims to examine whether the status of the relationship between caregiver and care recipient lessens the negative outcomes commonly associated with informal caregiving. The study focused of the relationship between the caregiver and the care recipient can lessen caregiver depression. When informal caregivers care for a confidant, the emotional bond may reduce the depressive symptoms.
(Publisher abstract)
Informal caregiving has been found to be burdensome and is associated with depression among older caregivers. These outcomes are often accentuated when caregivers and care recipients co-reside. The current study aims to examine whether the status of the relationship between caregiver and care recipient lessens the negative outcomes commonly associated with informal caregiving. The study focused on the subsample of co-resident caregivers (N = 3280) in the fourth wave of the Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe, of persons aged 50 or above, collected in 2011. A logged count of depressive symptoms, measured on the EURO-D scale, was hierarchically regressed on relationship status, measured as relationship type and closeness (confidant) controlling for sociodemographic background, health and country. Co-resident caregivers of spouse and children experienced more depressive symptoms than other relationship co-resident caregiving dyads. However, those who cared for a confidant experienced fewer depressive symptoms, independent of the relationship type. The provision of informal care is stressful and results in a heightened experience of depressive symptoms. Nonetheless, the type and closeness of the relationship between the caregiver and the care recipient can lessen caregiver depression. When informal caregivers care for a confidant, the emotional bond may reduce the depressive symptoms.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
carers, depression, social networks, interpersonal relationships, mental health;
McCARTHY Michael J., LYONS Karen S., POWERS Laurie E.
Journal article citation:
Journal of Family Social Work, 15(4), July 2012, pp.303-320.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
Depression following stroke is a major problem for survivors and their spouses. The aim of this study was to focus on the experiences of couples in order to explore the relational factors that affect survivors’ and spouses’ post-stroke adjustment. The participants were 36 couples in which the survivor had experienced a first stroke 1-24 months earlier. The participants completed questionnaires
Depression following stroke is a major problem for survivors and their spouses. The aim of this study was to focus on the experiences of couples in order to explore the relational factors that affect survivors’ and spouses’ post-stroke adjustment. The participants were 36 couples in which the survivor had experienced a first stroke 1-24 months earlier. The participants completed questionnaires via individual face-to-face interviews. Analysis was conducted to investigate associations between perceived relationship quality, communication and coping patterns, interpersonal misunderstandings and expectations, and survivors’ and spouses’ depressive symptoms after controlling for sociodemographic and proximal factors. It also compared the relative strength of these associations between partners to identify shared versus unique correlates of depressive symptoms. The findings provide evidence for the salience of relational factors in survivors’ and spouses’ depressive symptoms following stroke. Implications for practice, research, and theory are discussed.
Aging and Mental Health, 15(3), April 2011, pp.307-317.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
... symptoms were measured by the 11-item, 4-point Center for Epidemiologic Scale for Depression (CES-D), and spouse/partner support was measured by a 4-item scale, an abbreviated version of the original spouse support/strain scale developed by Schuster et al. (1990). The results from regression analyses showed that low perceived spouse/partner support, as opposed to unavailability of the support,
The purpose of this study was to examine the level of spouse or partner support that may be associated with depressive symptoms in late life, and the gender difference in such relationships. The data for this study came from face-to-face interviews with 2924 community-dwelling individuals aged 57-85 conducted as part of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, Wave 1. Depressive symptoms were measured by the 11-item, 4-point Center for Epidemiologic Scale for Depression (CES-D), and spouse/partner support was measured by a 4-item scale, an abbreviated version of the original spouse support/strain scale developed by Schuster et al. (1990). The results from regression analyses showed that low perceived spouse/partner support, as opposed to unavailability of the support, was associated with higher depressive symptomatology among women only, while high spouse/partner support was associated with lower depressive symptomatology for both genders. These relationship patterns were found in both younger and older groups of men and women. The results demonstrate that, unlike older men with unsupportive spouses/partners, older women with unsupportive spouses/partners appear to be worse off emotionally than their peers who lack spouses/partners.
Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 21(11), November 2006, pp.1417-1439.
Publisher:
Sage
A model of women’s readiness to terminate an abusive relationship was examined, using cognitive and emotional factors to predict readiness to change as conceptualized in the transtheoretical model. Factors previously identified in the domestic violence literature were selected to represent cognitive predictors (attribution and attachment style) and affective predictors (depression, hopelessness,
A model of women’s readiness to terminate an abusive relationship was examined, using cognitive and emotional factors to predict readiness to change as conceptualized in the transtheoretical model. Factors previously identified in the domestic violence literature were selected to represent cognitive predictors (attribution and attachment style) and affective predictors (depression, hopelessness, anxiety, and anger) of readiness to end a domestic violence relationship. Responses by 85 female victims of intimate partner violence indicated that their overall readiness to terminate a relationship was predicted by a preoccupied attachment style and high emotional arousal. However, women’s low level of anger predicted their precontemplation of change, the earliest stage of readiness, whereas internalizing emotional difficulties and preoccupation with their batterer predicted maintenance, the final stage of readiness to persist in their decision to leave their abuser. Implications of these findings for working with women considering leaving their partner are discussed.
Social Science and Medicine, 63(2), July 2006, pp.296-306.
Publisher:
Elsevier
... with suicide attempts in Hong Kong compared to the US. There were strong similarities in the two cultures with regard to characteristics that distinguished between attempters and matched controls. Hypotheses regarding cultural differences between attempters in Hong Kong and the US were not supported. Depression, current and lifetime suicide ideation, hopelessness, poor interpersonal relationships and exposure to suicide attempters and completers distinguished attempters from controls equally in the two cultures and in both genders. These findings do not support the proposition that depression is a less relevant variable in suicide attempts in Chinese versus western groups.
Using a nested case-control design drawing from a larger sample of 2272 adolescents, this study examined the characteristics of adolescents from Hong Kong (n=99) and the United States (US) (n=60), who indicated that they had made a suicide attempt at least once in the past, compared to their equally depressed sex- and age-matched counterparts who had not attempted suicide. The cross-cultural literature suggested three hypotheses which were tested: (a) depressive symptoms would differentiate between suicide attempters compared to non-attempters less in Hong Kong and more in the US; (b) discord in interpersonal relationships would be a more important distinguishing factor in suicide attempts in Hong Kong than in the US and (c) cognitive variables such as hopelessness would be less associated with suicide attempts in Hong Kong compared to the US. There were strong similarities in the two cultures with regard to characteristics that distinguished between attempters and matched controls. Hypotheses regarding cultural differences between attempters in Hong Kong and the US were not supported. Depression, current and lifetime suicide ideation, hopelessness, poor interpersonal relationships and exposure to suicide attempters and completers distinguished attempters from controls equally in the two cultures and in both genders. These findings do not support the proposition that depression is a less relevant variable in suicide attempts in Chinese versus western groups.
Depression has a huge impact on the lives of both people who suffer from it, and those who live with them or care for them. While a lot of attention is given to people who suffer from depression, the effect on those who have to live with it, and care for sufferers is overlooked. In this book, aimed and friends and family. The author describes the condition, causes, symptoms and treatment and goes into detail about the difficulties of caring for someone who is depressed. She explores how depression affects relationships and the emotions of the carers, as well as offering practical advice on how to best help the person who is ill.
Depression has a huge impact on the lives of both people who suffer from it, and those who live with them or care for them. While a lot of attention is given to people who suffer from depression, the effect on those who have to live with it, and care for sufferers is overlooked. In this book, aimed and friends and family. The author describes the condition, causes, symptoms and treatment and goes into detail about the difficulties of caring for someone who is depressed. She explores how depression affects relationships and the emotions of the carers, as well as offering practical advice on how to best help the person who is ill.
Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 19(1), January 2004, pp.90-107.
Publisher:
Sage
This study investigated whether interpersonal rejection sensitivity serves a mediating role between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and three long-term psychological correlates of CSA in adult female survivors: depressive symptoms, anger suppression, and attenuated emotional expression. Interpersonal rejection sensitivity has been shown to be a risk factor for the development of depression
This study investigated whether interpersonal rejection sensitivity serves a mediating role between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and three long-term psychological correlates of CSA in adult female survivors: depressive symptoms, anger suppression, and attenuated emotional expression. Interpersonal rejection sensitivity has been shown to be a risk factor for the development of depression and is elevated in CSA survivors. Similarly, attenuated emotional expression, particularly anger, has been related to adjustment difficulties in CSA survivors. Participants in this study were 355 female undergraduates, 34 of whom reported a history of CSA. Results demonstrated that interpersonal rejection sensitivity mediates the relationship between CSA and later depressive symptoms. Interpersonal rejection sensitivity partially mediated the relationship between CSA and anger suppression; however it did not mediate the relationship between CSA and attenuated emotional expression. These results are examined within the context of the current literature on adult CSA survivors and their implications are discussed.
Subject terms:
interpersonal relationships, survivors, child sexual abuse, depression, emotions;