Depression as a predictor of perceived social support and demand: A componential approach using a prospective sample of older adults

This study examined the relationship of the cognitive, mood, and somatic components of depression on perceptions of social support and social demand among older adults (n = 851) over two years. Factor-analyses confirmed the factor structure of our multicomponential model of depression. Results supported our proposal that interpersonal specificity, as measured by depressive cognition about self and others, is important to predicting changes in perceived support and demand over time. Each component of depression was related to social support and social demand cross-sectionally, whereas only the cognitive component of depression predicted changes in support and demand prospectively. Future research should consider the pathways linking depressive cognition to perceived support and demand.