Association between social support and quality of life in patients with affective disorders

Abstract

Background and objectivesDespite seemingly simple relationships between the quality of life and depression, the relevant issues are still not fully understood. The aim was to study the role of social support in the quality of life. MethodsThe study included 104 patients with unipolar or bipolar affective disorder. Beck Depression Inventory and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale were used to determine the level of intensity of depressive symptoms. Quality of life (Quality of Life in Depression Scale) and levels of social support (parts of Berlin Social Support Scales, Social Support Scale) were measured on admission, at discharge from the hospital, and 3 months after discharge. ResultsResults showed an increase in quality of life during hospitalization. The amount of social support remained constant between three measurements and positively correlated with quality of life. The strongest associations (controlled by depression severity) were found for perceived support at discharge (controlling HRS Rho=−0.44; p<0.001, controlling BDI Rho=0.4; p<0.001). Support from the person perceived as most helpful did not correlate significantly with quality of life on admission, at discharge and during follow-up. Interestingly, support from the person perceived as least helpful correlated with quality of life on admission (controlling HRS Rho=0.39; p<0.001, controlling BDI Rho=0.27; p<0.05). ConclusionsDuring hospitalization, the quality of patient's life significantly improves with time. Social support is a significant correlate of quality of life in affective disorders.