Life events, depression and social support in dementia.
OBJECTIVE
Recent research has highlighted the influence of psychosocial factors on the course of dementia, and previous studies have demonstrated an association between the experience of life events and depression. This study aimed to investigate the interrelationships between life events, depression and social support in people with dementia.


METHODS
Participants were 72 people with dementia and their carers. Data were collected on severity of dementia, cognitive impairment, depression, life events and social support.


RESULTS
The results showed that 62% of people with dementia who had experienced a severely threatening and independent life event in the preceding 3 months were depressed, compared with only 28% of those people with dementia without such events (p = .005). No relationships were found between social support and depression in people with dementia.


CONCLUSIONS
This study builds on previous research indicating that people with dementia who experience stressful life events have a higher risk of depression.
Waite
Allyson
A
Department of Psychology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, UK. m.orrell@ucl.ac.uk
Bebbington
Paul
P
Skelton-Robinson
Martin
M
Orrell
Martin
M
D000368:Aged; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012944:Social Support