Perceived social support and depression among Veterans with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Purpose. To examine the association between perceived social support and self-reported depression among Veterans of the US Armed Forces (‘Veterans’) with multiple sclerosis (MS), and differences in this relationship between specific support subtypes (tangible, positive social interaction, emotional/informational and affective).

Method. Participants were Veterans with MS (N = 451) receiving medical services through the Veterans Health Administration who completed mailed surveys. Hierarchical regression examined the extent to which global perceived social support concurrently predicted depression among a predominantly male sample of individuals with MS. Exploratory correlational analyses examined the relationship between specific subtypes of perceived social support and depression.

Results. Greater global perceived social support was associated with less depression after controlling for sociodemographic and disease-related variables. In follow-up analyses examining specific subtypes of support, greater positive social interaction, greater emotional/informational support, and greater affective support were related to less depression. There was no relationship between perceived tangible support and depression.

Conclusions. Interventions aimed at increasing positive social interactions, expressed affection and emotional/information support may be particularly helpful for individuals with MS and their caregivers.

Keywords:

• Social support
• depression
• Veterans
• multiple sclerosis

Declaration of interest: This material is based on work supported by a grant for the Department of Veterans Affairs VHA VISN 20 and by VA Rehabilitation Research and Development Service Career Development grant (B4972W).