The association between higher social support and lower depressive symptoms among aging services clients is attenuated at higher levels of functional impairment.

OBJECTIVE: Adults seeking services from the Aging Services Provider Network (ASPN) are at risk for depression. ASPN clients also have high prevalence of both functional impairments and social morbidities. Study of the relationships between these factors may inform the development of interventions for depression in this service setting.

METHODS: We interviewed 373 older adults accessing ASPN services and assessed depression symptom severity, functional impairment (instrumental activities of daily living and activities of daily living), and social support.

RESULTS: Lower social support and greater functional impairment were associated with greater depressive symptoms. At a high level of functional impairment, the inverse associations between indices of social support and depressive symptoms were attenuated.

CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that older adults with more severe functional impairment may benefit somewhat less from increased social support with respect to depression symptom severity.