Stage of Life Course and Social Support as a Mediator of Mood State among Persons with Disability

Abstract

Both instrumental and emotional support are key in mediating depressed mood among this population. We conclude that all types of social support are not equally effective in mediating mood among people with disability.

Widening the social context of disablement among married older adults: Considering the role of nonmarital relationships for loneliness

“…Several studies of depression produce findings that illustrate the mediating role of nonmarital relationships consistent with the stress-deterioration hypothesis, with availability of support from one's social network a robust intermediary in the relationship between functional impairment and depressive symptoms (Allen et al, 2000;Taylor and Lynch, 2004;Yang, 2006). In other words, physical disability is associated with higher levels of depression because it reduces perceived social support.…”

“…While the limited prior studies examining functional limitations, non-spousal social support, and socioemotional well-being have specified the main effect of social support (Allen et al, 2000;Taylor and Lynch, 2004), few have considered an alternative hypothesis offered by the stress-process perspective (Pearlin et al, 1981): social support and/or strain from family and friends may moderate the association between physical disability and feelings of loneliness. The stress-buffering hypothesis posits that supportive interpersonal relations-particularly long-lasting ones in which there is a shared history of exchange-ameliorate the effects of illness and physical disability on socioemotional well-being, whereas the lack of support and/or the presence of strain may exacerbate their negative socioemotional effects (Cohen, 2004).…”

“…Bookwala and Franks, 2005;Warner and Kelley-Moore, 2012) or nonmarital relationships (e.g. Allen et al, 2000;Taylor and Lynch, 2004) but have not considered how the marital and nonmarital relationships may interact. It is therefore unclear from extant studies how marital and nonmarital relationships combine to affect loneliness among older disabled adults.…”

Evaluation of social support among surgical cardiac patients: support for nursing care planning

“…These results suggest that older participants assessed the support they received as being more available and satisfactory than younger subjects. Other authors had already highlighted that, among older patients, greater tolerance is perceived about the support received from relatives and friends (2) . They emphasize that, as opposed to younger adults, elderly do not receive that much pressure as responsible for maintaining their family and for daily household and child care tasks.…”

“…Social support perceptions can vary according to these persons' gender, age, education level and civil status (2) .…”