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Social support and depressive symptoms among displaced older adults following the 1999 Taiwan earthquake
Author(s) -
Watanabe Chie,
Okumura Junko,
Chiu TaiYuan,
Wakai Susumu
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1023/b:jots.0000014678.79875.30
Subject(s) - social support , depression (economics) , depressive symptoms , intervention (counseling) , psychology , social environment , psychiatry , gerontology , clinical psychology , medicine , anxiety , political science , law , economics , psychotherapist , macroeconomics
This longitudinal study examines changes in depressive symptoms among displaced older Taiwanese adults ( N = 54, M = 68 years), and the impact of various social supports for them at between 6 and 12 months after an earthquake. The average depression score between 6 and 12 months following the earthquake was unchanged and kept high score. Child and extended family support levels related to depressive symptoms after 6 months. In contrast, after 12 months, significant factors associated with a lessening of the depressive symptoms were social support from the extended family and neighbors, and social participation. Intervention to promote increased social networks and social participation, within their new environment in a temporary community, is highly recommended for older adults.