Depressive symptoms and well-being in older people from Concep- ción, Chile: moderating role of social support

Background: The population over 60 years of age is increasing. Aim: This research aims to understand the relationship between well-being, social support, and depressive symptoms in older Chilean people. Method: 538 older adults were randomly selected from 15 Primary Health Centers in the province of Concepcion, Chile, 341 women and 197 men. Well-being was measured with the Pemberton Happiness Index, Social Support with the Zimet Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and Depressive Symptomatology using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Results: Older adults showed a high mean score (M=8. 54; SD=1. 34) in well-being, with no differences by sex (t(536) =-1.065, p = .288 > .05.) In linear regression analyses, social support (beta =0,463, p<0,001) and depressive symptomatology (beta =-1, 585, p<0,001) influence the well-being of the elderly, and social support acts as a moderating factor (beta=0.049, p=0. 007, CI =0.021; 0.077) in the relationship between social support and well-being. Conclusions: Older people show high well-being. The results reinforce the relevance of social support as a protective factor for the positive mental health of older adults. This corroborates the importance of including this aspect in promotional and preventive mental health programs for older adults.