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

Objective:This research seeks to determine which aspects of social support are most effective in mediating mood state amongworking-age and elderly adults with disability (N= 442). Methods:Participants were identified through random-digit dialing of telephone exchanges and administration of a disabil...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of aging and health 2000-08, Vol.12 (3), p.318-341
Main Authors: Allen, Susan M., Ciambrone, DesirÉe, Welch, Lisa C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Adults
Age Factors
Aged
Depression
Depression (Psychology)
Disabled Persons - psychology
Elderly
Emotions
Handicapped
Health technology assessment
Humans
Life Stage Transitions
Marital Status
Massachusetts
Middle Aged
Network Analysis
Regression Analysis
Social Networks
Social Support
United States
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Summary:Objective:This research seeks to determine which aspects of social support are most effective in mediating mood state amongworking-age and elderly adults with disability (N= 442). Methods:Participants were identified through random-digit dialing of telephone exchanges and administration of a disability screen. Multiple regression was used to model multiple aspects of social support while holding sociodemographic and disability indicators constant. Results:Analyses revealed that network size and confidence in the reliability of helping networks are significantly and negatively related to depressed mood. Confidant supportwas related to lower levels of depressed mood for younger respondents only. Neither marital status, advisor support, nor social integration were related to mood. Discussion: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.
ISSN:0898-2643
1552-6887
DOI:10.1177/089826430001200303