Social Support and Depression Among Older Adults with Urban and Nomadic Background

Resettlement has been proposed as a stressor that leads to psychological distress due to disruption of social support. This study aimed to evaluate gender differences in perceived social support and depression of the community doweling older adults with nomadic and urban backgrounds. In this cross-sectional study, ۴۶۰ elderly people living in Khorramabad, Iran, were selected using stratified random sampling. Standard questionnaires were completed through face-to-face interviews to assess perceived social support and depression. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software, which used descriptive and analytical statistics, including frequency, mean, standard deviation, chi-square, and independent t-test. The findings showed a significant difference in perceived family support, significant others, and the overall social support score between the elderly with a nomadic background and those with an urban background (p<۰.۰۵). However, there was no significant difference in depression scores between the two groups. Further analysis showed that the differences were mainly among the females of the two groups and that older women in the nomadic group had less perceived social support and were more depressed (p<۰.۰۵).Older women are in a more disadvantaged position in terms of social support and depression compared to older men, and several reasons, including sociocultural factors, may be involved. Therefore, depression and social support of this group require further investigation and appropriate intervention.

کلیدواژه ها:

Social Support ، depression ، Nomads ، older adults