There is great interest in identifying psychological and social variables associated with depressive symptoms in older adults. The goal of this article is to review the literature on the relationship between social support and depressive symptoms in the elderly and to identify the mechanisms involved in this relationship. The review indicates that both structural and functional dimensions of social support are inversely related to depressive symptoms in elderly persons. In addition, there is evidence supporting both the main effect model and the buffering effect model of social support. It is unclear, however, whether observation of these effects depends on the type of measure used to assess social support. A better understanding of the relationship between social support and depression requires the consideration of more precise dimensions of social support as well as the nature of the Stressors experienced by older people.

Objective: Depressive symptoms in schizophrenia have previously been associated with a perceived lack of social support. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between perceived social support and depressive symptoms in schizophrenia; to assess the psychological wellbeing of their carers; and to examine the quality of the relationship between the patients and their carers.

Method: Individuals with schizophrenia (n = 17) were assessed on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), a measure of perceived social support, the Significant Others Scale (SOS) and the Quality of Relationship Inventory (QRI).

Results: The mean score on the BDI for patients fell within the moderate-severe range and the mean range on the BHS fell within the moderate range. Family and friends were perceived as supportive resources by patients. There was no significant relationship between patient depressive symptoms or hopelessness and perceived social support. Carers of patients did not report high rates of depressive symptoms or hopelessness.

Conclusions: These findings do not support the previous finding of an association between depressive symptoms and a perceived lack of social support in schizophrenia.