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. 2016 Aug 22;11(8):e0161328.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161328. eCollection 2016.

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

Aleksandra Kroemeke  1 , Ewa Gruszczynska  1
Affiliations

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

Aleksandra Kroemeke et al. PLoS One. .

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.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Model of relationships between received and provided social support and well-being.
Fig 2
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
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
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
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.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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