Overview

Abstract (English)

Using longitudinal data from the National Population Health Survey (NPHS), the effects of four different forms of social support on the trajectory of the predicted probability of depression (DPP) over time were analyzed. Differences in the effects of social support by sex and age were also explored. The analyses indicate that higher scores on three out of the four components of social support – affection, positive social interaction, and emotional and informational support – led to lower DPP scores over time. Further analyses revealed no sex differences in the effects of social support on the trajectory of DPP scores. Affection was the only form of social support to have different effects based on the respondent’s age, with stronger effects on the trajectory of DPP scores among younger adults and weaker effects on those who were older.

Abstract (French)

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