Social Support and Change in Depression Among Older Adults

This study investigates the association between social support and change in depression among older adults in Taiwan. Data are from an islandwide representative longitudinal study. The study sample includes 3,686 Taiwanese aged 50+ who completed a baseline survey and survived a 3-year follow-up period. Social support was measured by using indexes representing dimensions of tangible support, perceived emotional support, and support satisfaction. Two change in depression outcomes were constructed using a modified version of the CES-D. Results indicated that social support is a robust predictor of change in depression among those not depressed at baseline but is less consequential among those already in a state of depression. Support satisfaction is more strongly related to the outcomes than other dimensions. The discussion places the results within the Taiwanese context and provides policy implications