An Evaluation of the Buffering Effects of Types and Sources of Support on Depressive Symptoms Among Natural Disaster–Exposed Chinese Adults

Abstract

Objective Social support is a key protective factor for people exposed to natural disasters. The effect of type and source of this support is not well documented. Investigations are needed to identify the specific modifying role of received and perceived support from family and friends on the association between disaster exposure and depressive symptoms. Methods Face-to-face household interviews were conducted in 2014 with a random sample of 751 adults recruited from Yuexiu and Tianhe districts in Guangzhou, China. Sampling was accomplished through spatial epidemiological methods. Participants’ exposure to disaster, depressive symptoms, and social support networks was recorded on tablet devices. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the potential moderating role of social support on depression symptoms. Results A total of 30.24% reported natural disaster exposure. Disaster exposure and received family support were significantly and positively related to depressive symptoms. In contrast, perceived family support moderated the relationship between disaster exposure and depressive symptoms. No association was found between support from friends and depressive severity. Conclusion Perceived family support buffered the effect of disaster exposure in this sample, while received family support was associated with increased depression. Perceived family support is an important resource among those who experience disaster exposure and actual provision of family support may be harmful or miscarried.

Patterns of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Posttraumatic Growth in an Epidemiological Sample of Chinese Earthquake Survivors: A Latent Profile Analysis

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Pre-disaster social support is protective for onset of post-disaster depression: Prospective study from the Great East Japan Earthquake & Tsunami

“…Social support is considered as disaster preparedness resource 11,12 ; it is robustly linked to improved physical and psychological health in the general population 13–16 . In the aftermath of disasters, social support has been linked to better mental health outcomes for survivors 11,12,17–21 . However, previous studies have been limited by their cross-sectional design, i.e.…”

“…social support is assessed in the post-disaster situation so that it is not possible to rule out reverse causality (for example, survivors with more problems receive more support.) 17–21…”

How Does Reciprocal Exchange of Social Support Alleviate Individuals’ Depression in an Earthquake-Damaged Community?

“…A few studies have been conducted that focus particularly on depression and social support following disasters [ 1 , 19 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]. Empirical research reveals mixed findings regarding the impact of giving and receiving social support on depression.…”