title: Does Mode of Contact with Different Types of Social Relationships Predict Depression in Older Adults? Evidence from a Nationally Representative Survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine associations between use of three different modes of social contact (in person, telephone, written or e-mail), contact with different types of people, and risk of depressive symptoms in a nationally representative, longitudinal sample of older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Population-based observational cohort.
  
  
  METHODS
  Urban and suburban communities throughout the contiguous United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  Individuals aged 50 and older who participated in the Health and Retirement Survey between 2004 and 2010 (N = 11,065).
  
  
  METHODS
  Frequency of participant use of the three modes of social contact with children, other family members, and friends at baseline were used to predict depressive symptoms (measured using the eight-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale) 2 years later using multivariable logistic regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Probability of having depressive symptoms steadily increased as frequency of in-person-but not telephone or written or e-mail contact-decreased. After controlling for demographic, clinical, and social variables, individuals with in-person social contact every few months or less with children, other family, and friends had a significantly higher probability of clinically significant depressive symptoms 2 years later (11.5%) than those having in-person contact once or twice per month (8.1%; P < .001) or once or twice per week (7.3%; P < .001). Older age, interpersonal conflict, and depression at baseline moderated some of the effects of social contact on depressive symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Frequency of in-person social contact with friends and family independently predicts risk of subsequent depression in older adults. Clinicians should consider encouraging face-to-face social interactions as a preventive strategy for depression.
authors.affiliation: Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon.|Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, Portland, Oregon.|Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Alan R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Teo
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: HwaJung
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon.|Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, Portland, Oregon.|Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Sarah B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Andrea
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.|Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Marcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Valenstein
authors.affiliation: Portland State University, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Jason T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Newsom
authors.affiliation: Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon.|Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care, Portland, Oregon.|Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Steven K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Dobscha
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.|Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor, Michigan.|Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.|Department of Health Management and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Kara
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zivin
mesh_terms: D032721:Adult Children; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D034742:Electronic Mail; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012934:Social Isolation; D013689:Telephone; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: e-mail; face-to-face; in-person; social isolation; telephone; written