Functional Impairment and Depressive Symptoms among Older Adults of Rural Nepal: The Moderating Role of Three Sources of Social Support

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives This study aimed to determine whether social support from family, friends, and significant others moderated the relationship between functional impairment and depressive symptoms among Nepali older adults living in rural areas. Methods The participants were 147 women (Mage = 66.71, SDage = 5.97) and 153 men (Mage = 67.41, SDage = 6.47) aged 60 years and older who lived in the rural mid-hills of Nepal. They completed the Karnofsky Performance Status Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form. Results Only 6.3% participants experienced some degree of functional impairment. Almost half (44.33%) of participants had depressive symptoms. Social support from family and friends, but not significant others, moderated the relationship between functional impairment and depressive symptoms. Social support from family was protective for older adults with moderate to high levels of functional impairment. Social support from friends was protective at no to low levels of functional impairment. Conclusions Interventions aimed at increasing social support from family among Nepali older adults living in rural hilly areas may reduce depressive symptoms, particularly among those with high levels of functional impairment. Clinical Implications Family support is important to alleviate depressive symptoms among functionally impaired older adults.