Functional disability and psychological well-being in later life: Does source of support matter?

Abstract

Objectives: This study explored the buffering effects of instrumental and emotional support from different sources against the impact of increasing functional disability on depression and life satisfaction.

Methods: Random effects modeling was utilized with data from a nationwide longitudinal study in Taiwan. A total of 6722 observations from 2856 elders over a seven-year period served as subjects of this study.

Results: The results suggested that instrumental support from family members and formal organizations as well as emotional support from families, friends and formal organizations was significantly associated with better psychological well-being among the elderly in Taiwan. In addition, receiving instrumental support from family members and formal organizations can moderate the linkage between increasing functional disability and depression.

Conclusion: The results emphasize the importance of encouraging a partnership between natural helpers and health care professionals. A good integration between formal and informal networks could more effectively meet the needs of the frail older adults and their families. This study also calls for more attention to the cultural competence of health care policy and service delivery.

Keywords:

• social support
• depression
• life satisfaction
• longitudinal
• disability

Acknowledgments

The data was provided by Bureau of Health Promotion, Department of Health, Taiwan, Republic of China. I sincerely thank to the insightful comments and suggestions from Dr Benjamin A. Shaw and Doctoral Candidate, Paul Urbanski on an earlier version of this article.