Predicting Longitudinal Changes in Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults: The Role of Positive and Negative Social Exchanges

Purpose:Research demonstrates that social exchanges are associated with psychological well-being in older adults. Specifically, positive exchanges with others are related to lower levels of depression, whereas negative exchanges are related to higher levels of depression. In addition, the effects of social exchanges on depression may vary depending on the source of social relations. Despite substantial evidence of the association between social exchanges and depression, however, little is known about the developmental nature of depression in later life and their association with positive and negative exchanges. Although depression is prevalent in later life, there may be considerable variability in the trajectories of depression within- and between-individuals depending on the nature (e.g., positive vs. negative) and source (e.g., spouse) of social exchanges. This study examines whether there is any substantial variability in the trajectories of depressive symptoms in later life and, if yes, to what extent the variability can be explained by source-specific positive or negative exchanges.

Methods: Data are from the nationally representative Americans' Changing Lives study, for the subgroup of older adults (ages 60 +) who participated in the baseline interview (n=1,669) in 1986 and two follow-up interviews in 1989 (n=1,279), and 1994 (n=889). To examine within- and between-individual change in depressive symptoms over time, this study conducts growth curve analyses using Hierarchical Linear Models (Bryk & Raudenbush, 1992). Depression is measured by an 11-item version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (Radloff, 1977). Positive and negative exchanges are measured using source-specific indexes of social exchanges (e.g., positive exchanges with children). This study includes other important variables (e.g., gender, education, social networks, and health status) to control for spurious effects.

Results: Results from individual growth curve analyses show that older adults as a whole experience linear decline in depressive symptoms over time. Outcome data also demonstrate significant variation in trajectories of depressive symptoms between older adults. Rates of change in depressive symptoms are substantially associated with social exchanges with friends/relatives. Specifically, positive exchanges with friends/relatives are related to decrease in depressive symptoms over time, whereas negative exchanges with them are related to increase in depressive symptoms (p<.05). Both positive and negative exchanges with children are also related to rates of change in depressive symptoms (p<.10). Unexpectedly positive and negative exchanges with spouse are not related to rates of change in depressive symptoms. Finally, education and gender are significant predictors for inter-individual differences in trajectories of depressive symptoms.

Implications: The findings demonstrate the importance of taking into account the quality of social relations and source of relations when we develop interventions for older adults' psychological well-being. The substantial effects of some negative exchanges on rates of change in depressive symptoms show that social work interventions for older adults need to focus on decreasing conflicts as well as building support in social relations. In addition, assuming the significant effects of social exchanges with friends/relatives on trajectories of depression in older adults, we need to develop social work practice or interventions that can improve the quality of social relations outside the home.