Correlation between Social Support with Anxiety and Depression in the Elderly: a Study in Northern Iran

Abstract

In some studies, the relationship between psychiatric disorder and social support in elderly people, has been pointed. This relationship may be different in different countries. So, the purpose of this study is determine of correlation between social support and anxiety and depression in elderly people, in the North of Iran. In this study, the correlation of 157 elders with more than 60 years old was studied. The tools of collecting data were MOS social support survey (MOS-SSS) of Sherbourne and Steward, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaires. For analyzing data, statistical tests from Man Whitney, Kruskal–Wallis, Chi – Square, Fisher exact test, Spearman correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression test were used. Frequency of anxiety, depression in elders has been 40.8 and 47.1% respectively. The average of social support score was 64.4 ± 8.31. According to multiple linear regression results, by increasing age, social support score decreases 0.3 unit, significantly (P = 0.003). Social support score for men is 0.07 unit less than women (P = 0.442). Social support score for elderly people with anxiety score in average level (P = 0.025) and severity (P = 0.020), are 0.45 and 0.46 units less than elderly people without anxiety respectively. Age, marital status, anxiety and job are social support determinant, according to multiple linear Regression result.