title: Dimensions of perceived social support in clinically depressed and nondepressed female caregivers.
abstract: The relationship between social support and depression was studied in 165 women caring for frail family members. The Arizona Social Support Interview Schedule (Barrera, Sandler, & Ramsay, 1981), which includes 4 dimensions of availability and use of resources and satisfaction with and need for support, was used to examine 7 categories of supportive activity. Depression was assessed according to Research Diagnostic Criteria (Spitzer, Endicott, & Robins, 1978) with the Schedule of Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (Endicott & Spitzer, 1978). There were no differences in overall satisfaction with received support in comparisons of depressed and nondepressed caregivers. However, depressed caregivers (n = 87) reported a higher incidence of negative interactions with others. Both groups appeared to have equal access to social support, with nondepressed caregivers (n = 78) reporting significantly greater use of those resources.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gerontology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Rivera
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Futterman
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Lovett
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gallagher-Thompson
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology*; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012144:Respite Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support