Well-Being and Institutional Care in Older Adults: Cross-Sectional and Time Effects of Provided and Received Support

Abstract

Background: The aim of the study was to examine the cross-sectional and longitudinal effects of provided and received support on older adults' subjective well-being (positive affect and depression) and to examine whether being a recipient of institutional care moderates these effects.

Methods: Social support (provided and received), positive affect, and depressive symptoms were assessed twice (at baseline and 1 month later) for 277 older adults (age 77.39 ± 9.20 years, 67.50% women, 65% residents of an institutional care facility).

Findings: Two structural equation models were analyzed: cross-sectional (at baseline) and longitudinal (after 1 month). The first model revealed a significant positive relationship between providing and receiving support and positive affect, and a negative relationship between receiving support and depression. However, being a recipient of institutional care appeared to be a significant moderator in the longitudinal model. Specifically, the findings indicated effects of both providing and receiving support on positive affect but only for noninstitutionalized older adults.

Discussion: Although both types of support may be beneficial for older adults, their effects depend on the nature of social exchange and the dimensions of well-being. This suggests that such factors should be systematically investigated in future research.

Fig 1. Model of relationships between received and provided social support and well-being.

Fig 2. Resultant model of cross-sectional relationship between social support and well-being for both samples.

IADL, Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (higher scores indicate greater independence); values presented are standardized coefficients, ^*p < .05, ^**p < .01, ^***p < .001.

Fig 3. Resultant model of time effect of social support on well-being for both samples.

IADL, Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (higher scores indicate greater independence); values presented are standardized coefficients, ^p < .07, ^*p < .05, ^**p < .01, ^***p < .001.

Fig 4. Resultant model of time effect of social support on well-being for seniors club participants.

IADL, Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (higher scores indicate greater independence); values presented are standardized coefficients, ^*p < .05, ^**p < .01, ^***p < .001.

Fig 5. Resultant model of time effect of social support on well-being for nursing home participants.

IADL, Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (higher scores indicate greater independence); values presented are standardized coefficients, ^*p < .05, ^**p < .01, ^***p < .001.