The Influence of Social Networks and Social Support on Health Among Older Koreans at High Risk of Depression

Abstract

The work discussed in this article would help inform the design of much needed and effective social intervention programs for the growing number of Korean older adults with depression.

Is the Relationship between Depression and C Reactive Protein Level Moderated by Social Support in Elderly?-Korean Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (KSHAP)

“…However, compared with the Western study of the elderly, the Korean population showed a weaker influence from friends' functional and emotional support compared to the family network. 9 Although supportive or ambivalent social support of family could predict the level of CRP, it did not predict the level of social support of friends in the elderly Western subjects, 6 whereas our study showed results similar to previous research, i.e., that in men there is a buffering effect but not in women. In the female subjects, social support of family or relatives did not show buffering effects on the CRP level, but social support of friends or neighbors had a slight effect.…”

“…There is a stress-buffering hypothesis model, which says that stress can be buffered when a high level of social support is provided. 1 2 3 4 5 6 After Cohen & Wills formulated this concept in 1985, 7 it has been expanded to social isolation, 3 life satisfaction, 8 and depression 2 9 also. It was found in a meta-analysis, as well as in many cross-sectional studies, that inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-1 (IL-1), and IL-6, were elevated in depressed persons.…”

“… 12 Some of the factors that moderate the relationship between depression and CRP level, as well as their buffering effect, have been explored: loneliness, 2 social support, 4 6 8 and social networks. 9 13 There is also research showing that social support can buffer the relationship between stress and CRP level. 3 However, some of these studies are not supported by evidence in multivariate models.…”

Older Adults and Social Support in a Disaster Context: Did Relocation Matter for Access to Social Network Resources After the 2015 South Carolina Flood?

“…Evidence from previous research corroborates this finding about the role of family members in providing emotional and instrumental support. 4,29,48,49 Older adults may feel more comfortable seeking support from these network members because of the potentially close ties they share. As Cohen and Syme 50 have suggested, family members may also feel more obligated to provide support to CDE who may experience increased vulnerability during floods and other disasters.…”

“…Although social network characteristics, such as gender and composition, have previously been linked to social support provision for various circumstances, [26][27][28][29][30][31][32] few studies have examined whether these network characteristics are also relevant for support provision among US CDE who are affected by natural disasters. Findings from other countries suggest, when older adults relocate because of natural disasters, social support from family members and friends is valuable.…”