THE ROLE OF SOCIAL NETWORKS ON THE RELATION BETWEEN AGE DISCRIMINATION EXPERIENCE AND DEPRESSION: A BUFFER OR A STRESS?
2024

The Role of Social Networks in Age Discrimination and Depression

Sample size: 10097 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Park Junmin, Lee Yeonjung

Primary Institution: Chung-Ang University

Hypothesis

Do social networks act as a buffer or a stressor in the relationship between age discrimination and depression in older adults?

Conclusion

Older adults who experience age discrimination are likely to have more depressive symptoms, and informal social networks can worsen this relationship.

Supporting Evidence

  • Older adults who experienced age discrimination are likely to have more depressive symptoms.
  • Formal social networks had no significant moderating effect on depression.
  • Informal social networks significantly moderated the relationship between age discrimination and depression.

Takeaway

This study found that older people who face age discrimination may feel sadder, especially if they have frequent contact with friends and family.

Methodology

The study used Andrew Hayes’ PROCESS macro analytical approach on data from the 2020 National Survey of Older Koreans.

Participant Demographics

Participants were aged 65 and older from Korea.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.3260

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