Independent associations of apathy and depressive symptoms with perceived social support in healthy older adults

Abstract

Objective

Apathy symptoms are common in healthy older adults and may manifest independently of depressive symptoms. Perceived social support is considered a protective factor against adverse health outcomes in aging. We investigated the differential associations of apathy and depressive symptoms with perceived social support in older adults.

Method

The sample (n = 295) included community dwelling healthy older adults. Apathy was assessed with the Apathy Evaluation Scale, depression with the Geriatric Depression Scale, and perceived social support with the Medical Outcomes Study-Social Support Survey.

Results

Fully adjusted multiple linear regression revealed that, when jointly modeled as predictors, both apathy (standardized β= −0.214 p<.05) and depressive symptoms (standardized β= −0.157 p<.05) had significant negative associations with perceived social support.

Discussion

We provide the first evidence that apathy and depressive symptoms have independent associations with perceived social support in older adults.

Keywords:

• Apathy
• perceived social support
• healthy older adults

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the National Institute of Aging grant (RO1AG036921 and R01AG044007).