Depressive Symptoms and Ageism among Nursing Home Residents: The Role of Social Support

Dongjuan Xu, Yaqi Wang, Ming Li, Meng Zhao, Zhenhua Yang and Kefang Wang ()
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Dongjuan Xu: School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
Yaqi Wang: School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
Ming Li: School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
Meng Zhao: School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
Zhenhua Yang: School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
Kefang Wang: School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 19, 1-10

Abstract: (1) Background: Ageism refers to the stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination against older individuals or groups based on their age. This study investigates the modifying role of social support in the relationship between depressive symptoms and ageism in China; (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in 21 nursing homes in Jinan from March to June in 2019. The data were analyzed through a multilevel mixed-effects generalized linear model; (3) The analysis showed that older adults in nursing homes experienced moderate levels of ageism. There were significant interaction effects between depressive symptoms and social support on overall ageism and objective ageism after controlling for covariates ( p < 0.05). As the level of social support increased, the predicted ageism greatly reduced among older adults without depressive symptoms when compared to those with depressive symptoms; (4) Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of identifying strategies to enhance social support and reduce depressive symptoms for nursing home residents. Having positive attitudes toward aging and overcoming negative age-related stereotypes may benefit older adults’ physical and mental health, well-being, and help to promote an age-friendly society.

Keywords: ageism; depression; social support; nursing homes; modifying role (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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