Stressful life events and depressive symptoms: Social support and sense of control as mediators or moderators?

Kee Lee CHOU, Iris CHI

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103 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Depression is quite common among the elderly members of the Hong Kong Chinese society. This study examined the impact of a series of common stressful life events (SLEs) on change in depressive symptoms among the older people. The respondents were 411 people aged sixty years or older from a survey of a representative community sample of the elderly population in Hong Kong. Using multiple regression models, the authors found that sense of control acted as a mediator in the linkage between the number of SLEs and depressive symptoms, even after controlling sociodemographic, and physical health status were applied. In addition, the social support measured by Lubben Social Network Scale moderated the influence of the exposure to SLEs on depression. Findings suggest that sense of control and social support play distinguished and important roles in the stress-outcome relationship. Service implications were discussed based on these findings. Copyright © 2001 Baywood Pub. Co.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)155-171
JournalInternational Journal of Aging and Human Development
Volume52
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2001

Citation

Chou, K.-L., & Chi, I. (2001). Stressful life events and depressive symptoms: Social support and sense of control as mediators or moderators? International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 52(2), 155-171. doi: 10.2190/9C97-LCA5-EWB7-XK2W

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