The Mediating Role of Perceived Control in the Relationship Between Social Ties and Depressive Symptoms

ABSTRACT

This study first examines gender differences in the receipt and efficacy of four types of social ties. It is hypothesized that women's relationships involve more demanding social ties, which increase rather than decrease depressive symptoms. Next, this study explores the role of perceived control as a mediator in the relationship between social ties and depressive symptoms. It is hypothesized that the association between these social ties and depressive symptoms is mediated through perceived control. Results suggest that demanding social ties have the strongest association with depressive symptoms, and that this relationship is much stronger for women than for men. Emotional support is strongly associated with depressive symptoms for men and women, whereas instrumental support and number of close ties have negligible effects on depressive symptoms. Perceived control most strongly mediates (rather than moderates) those relationships with the strongest associations: demanding ties and depressive symptoms, and emotional support and depressive symptoms. Substantial direct associations between social ties and depressive symptoms remain after removing the effects mediated by perceived control.

KEYWORDS:

• Perceived control
• social networks
• social support
• social ties
• depression
• psychological distress