Am J Psychiatry 1988; 145:1254-1258
Copyright © 1988 by American Psychiatric Association
Social supports in relation to physical health and symptoms of depression in the elderly
I Grant, TL Patterson and J Yager
Department of Psychiatry Service, VA Medical Center, San Diego, CA 92161.
The authors examined the relationship of social supports to physical and
psychological well-being in 118 men and women 65 years old or older who
were living independently in the community. Subjects with more symptoms of
depression reported having fewer emotionally satisfying consistent supports
from relatives, but those who had physical illnesses reported more supports
from relatives. The authors conclude that although having fewer key
supports may contribute to dysphoria, having a physical illness may
mobilize meaningful support. They suggest that social supports and health
outcomes be carefully defined so that possible differential relationships
between them can be understood more specifically.
