Contributions
Abstract: P772
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Therapy - symptomatic - Quality of life
Introduction: Social support is known to be associated with depression in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the majority of studies have examined these relationships using cross-sectional designs. Relatively few studies have examined how social support might change over time, and how changes in social support are associated with changes in depression in people with MS.
Methods: Individuals with MS (N=210; mean age: 53.79 years; 82% women) completed surveys assessing demographic variables (age, sex), depression (PROMIS Depression item bank scales) and social support (MPSS) on two occasions, separated by about 3.5 years (Timepoints 1 and 2). ANOVAs tested for changes in perceived social support over time, and a regression analysis examined the effects of changes three social support domains (support from a significant other, friends, and family) on change in depression.
Results: Analyses indicated no systematic changes from Timepoint 1 to Timepoint 2 in perceived support from significant others, family, or friends. However, there was individual variability in perceived social support over time, with SDs in social support scores ranging from 1.51 to 1.67 on a scale that can only range from 1 to 7. After controlling for the depression score at Timepoint 1, the demographic variables did not contribute significantly to the prediction of depression at Timepoint 2. Change in the three social support domains made a significant contribution to the prediction of depression at Timepoint 2 (R-square change = .06, F-change (3,203) = 5.84, p = .001). However, change in support from the significant other (Beta = .20, t = 2.65, p =.009) made a statistically significant independent contribution to the second depression score.
Conclusions: The findings indicate that individuals with MS do not perceive systematic changes over time in the amount of social support they receive from their significant others, friends, and family. However, there was variability social support changes, and these changes were significantly associated with changes in depression, with increases in support being associated with decreases in depression. Most of this effect is due to changes in perceptions of support from the participant"s significant other. This suggests the possibility that support from one"s significant other may be particularly important in this population - at least as a predictor of changes depression.
Disclosure: The contents of this presentation were developed under a grant from National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90RT5023-01-00). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this presentation do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and readers should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
Abstract: P772
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Therapy - symptomatic - Quality of life
Introduction: Social support is known to be associated with depression in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the majority of studies have examined these relationships using cross-sectional designs. Relatively few studies have examined how social support might change over time, and how changes in social support are associated with changes in depression in people with MS.
Methods: Individuals with MS (N=210; mean age: 53.79 years; 82% women) completed surveys assessing demographic variables (age, sex), depression (PROMIS Depression item bank scales) and social support (MPSS) on two occasions, separated by about 3.5 years (Timepoints 1 and 2). ANOVAs tested for changes in perceived social support over time, and a regression analysis examined the effects of changes three social support domains (support from a significant other, friends, and family) on change in depression.
Results: Analyses indicated no systematic changes from Timepoint 1 to Timepoint 2 in perceived support from significant others, family, or friends. However, there was individual variability in perceived social support over time, with SDs in social support scores ranging from 1.51 to 1.67 on a scale that can only range from 1 to 7. After controlling for the depression score at Timepoint 1, the demographic variables did not contribute significantly to the prediction of depression at Timepoint 2. Change in the three social support domains made a significant contribution to the prediction of depression at Timepoint 2 (R-square change = .06, F-change (3,203) = 5.84, p = .001). However, change in support from the significant other (Beta = .20, t = 2.65, p =.009) made a statistically significant independent contribution to the second depression score.
Conclusions: The findings indicate that individuals with MS do not perceive systematic changes over time in the amount of social support they receive from their significant others, friends, and family. However, there was variability social support changes, and these changes were significantly associated with changes in depression, with increases in support being associated with decreases in depression. Most of this effect is due to changes in perceptions of support from the participant"s significant other. This suggests the possibility that support from one"s significant other may be particularly important in this population - at least as a predictor of changes depression.
Disclosure: The contents of this presentation were developed under a grant from National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90RT5023-01-00). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this presentation do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and readers should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.