title: The Role of Partner Support Among Women with Depressive Symptoms.
abstract: Scarce research has explored how sex partners and their provision of social support impact depression among women. The purpose of this study is to examine the role of social support (overall and specific types of support) provided by a sex partner on depressive symptoms among a sample of women (n = 295). We assessed depression using the Centers for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and used a social network inventory to evaluate partner characteristics and types of support provided. Overall 76% (n = 225) of the sample experienced depressive symptoms in the past 90 days. Approximately one-third of the sample had a partner who provided emotional support (33.9%), financial support (36.6%), or socialization support (40.0%). About 41% of women said their partner offered no support while 16.3% had a partner who gave all three types of support. These findings demonstrate that partners and the level and types of support provided should not be discounted in mental health assessments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 2213 McElderry Street, 2nd Floor, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. mdavey1@jhu.edu.
authors.forename: Melissa A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Davey-Rothwell
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Public Health, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 2213 McElderry Street, 2nd Floor, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vadnais
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 2213 McElderry Street, 2nd Floor, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
authors.forename: Sharif A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Braxton
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 2213 McElderry Street, 2nd Floor, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
authors.forename: Carl A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Latkin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Depression; Partners; Social networks; Social support; Women