Loneliness and depression among community-dwelling older adults in China during the COVID-19 epidemic: The mediating role of social support

Sep 15, 2023Medicine

Loneliness and depression in older adults in China during COVID-19 linked to social support

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Abstract

A sample of 570 community-dwelling adults aged over 60 years showed that is a predictor of depression.

Depression is negatively associated with (r = -0.381, P < .001).
Loneliness is positively correlated with depression (r = 0.403, P < .001).
Social support significantly mediates the relationship between loneliness and depression, with an indirect effect of 0.239.
The overall effect value for depression is 0.572, accounting for 56.3% of the total variance in depression.

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The psychological condition of community-dwelling older adults is a global concern under coronavirus disease 2019. is the key risk factor for depression among community-dwelling older adults. This study aims to explore the role of as a mediating factor in the relationship between depression and loneliness among community-dwelling older adults. We conducted a cross-sectional study in Chenzhou, Hunan Province, China, from June to December 2021. The sample consisted of 570 community-dwelling adults aged over 60 years. Data were collected through a general information questionnaire, the Social Support Rating Scale, the University of California at Los Angeles Loneliness Scale, and the Center for Epidemiological Survey, Depression Scale. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences PROCESS macro was used to examine the mediating effect of social support between loneliness and depression. This study found that depression was negatively associated with social support (r = -0.381, P < .001), but it was positively correlated with loneliness (r = 0.403, P < .001); loneliness was a predictor of depression (B = 0.333, P < .001). In addition, social support significantly mediated the relationship between loneliness and depression, with an indirect effect of 0.239 (95% Bootstrap CI -0.264 to -0.510), the overall effect value for depression was 0.572, accounting for 56.3% of the total variance in depression within this model. In conclusion, the findings suggest that social support plays a mediating role between depression and loneliness in older adults. This implies that interventions aimed at reducing loneliness and enhancing social support have the potential to alleviate depressive symptoms among this population. By addressing these factors, healthcare professionals and caregivers can promote the mental well-being of older adults and contribute to improved overall quality of life.

Key numbers

19.30%

Prevalence of Depression

Percentage of participants diagnosed with depression.

0.403

Correlation with

Pearson correlation coefficient between and depression.

0.239

Mediating Effect Size

Indirect effect of in the mediation model.

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Loneliness and depression among community-dwelling older adults in China during the COVID-19 epidemic: The mediating role of social support

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