title: Self-efficacy, social support, and depression in aging: a longitudinal analysis.
abstract: This study examines the relationship of self-efficacy and social support to adjustment in aging. Fifty-two community residents participated in an initial structured interview and a follow-up interview one year later. Measures of depression and self-efficacy relating to social support were included in the initial interview, with measures of depression and actual social support included at follow-up. Results showed that initial self-efficacy was related to social support one year later. A path analysis showed that self-efficacy functions directly as well as indirectly through its effect on social support in preventing depression. A partial correlational analysis showed that the relationships between initial self-efficacy and depression one year later and between social support and depression at follow-up hold when ongoing depression is controlled.
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support