Social and emotional support as a protective factor against current depression among individuals with adverse childhood experiences

Abstract

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders among adults with adverse childhood experiences (ACE). Several studies have well documented the protective role of social support against depression in other populations. However, the impact of perceived social and emotional support (PSES) on current depression in a large community sample of adults with ACE has not been studied yet. This study tests the hypothesis that PSES is a protective factor against current depression among adults with ACE.Data from the 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) involving adults with at least one ACE were used for the purpose of this study (n = 12.487). PSES had three categories: Always, Usually/Sometimes, and Rarely/Never. Current depression, defined based on the responses to the eight-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) depression scale, was treated as a binary outcome of interest: Present or absent. Logistic regression models were used for the analysis adjusting for all potential confounders.When compared to individuals who reported that they rarely/never received social and emotional support, individuals who reported that they always received were 87% less likely to report current depression (AOR: 0.13 [95% CI: 0.08–0.21]); and those who reported that they usually/sometimes received social and emotional support were 69% less likely to report current depression (AOR: 0.31 [95% CI: 0.20–0.46]).The results of this study highlight the importance of social and emotional support as a protective factor against depression in individuals with ACE. Health care providers should routinely screen for ACE to be able to facilitate the necessary social and emotional support.

The contribution of financial well‐being, social support, and trait emotional intelligence on psychological distress

“…In the same vein, social support was a significant predictor of reductions in all symptoms of psychological distress, with the exception of anxiety‐related ones. Whereas these findings in part are in accordance with research on social support and mental health (Brinker & Cheruvu, ; Kleiman & Liu, ), we found differences in how perceived support versus social contact related to psychological distress. Notably, both forms of social support were important correlates of reductions in symptoms of interpersonal sensitivity.…”

“…There is extensive research documenting the importance of social support for mental health and specifically its protective role against the psychological sequelae of multiple stressors (Brinker & Cheruvu, ; Galea et al , ; Kleiman & Liu, ; Schwarzer & Knoll, ; Uchino, ). Conversely, social isolation, increasingly experienced among urban populations, is a well‐documented risk factor for psychological distress and related mental illnesses (Bennett, Gualtieri, & Kazmierczyk, ; Gruebner et al , ; Heinz, Deserno, & Reininghaus, ; Masi, Chen, Hawkley, & Cacioppo, ).…”

Social support from nurses and non‐adherence with directly observed therapy (DOTS) maintenance phase among patients with tuberculosis in Metro Manila, Philippines

“…Patients who perceive empathy, compassion, and concern from healthcare professionals, including community health nurses, gain greater insight and motivation in addressing their health condition (Brooks, Lopez, Ranucci, Krumlaud & Wallen, ). Moreover, perceived emotional support helps patients cope with the disease (Brinker & Cheruvu, ) and address potential treatment barriers (van de Berg, Jansen‐Aaldring, Vries, & Hof, ). Hence, having a health professional who shows genuine compassion and concern with the health, emotional, and social plight experienced by patients with TB reassures them to continuously adhere with their treatment regimen.…”

Emotional support from social media and face-to-face relationships: Associations with depression risk among young adults

“…High emotional support has been associated with higher survival in various clinical populations and is protective against stress, anxiety, and depression (Gordillo et al, 2009;Pilkington et al, 2015;Reblin and Uchino, 2008;Soler-Vila et al, 2003). Data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) found that individuals who reported high levels of perceived emotional support were 87% less likely to report current depression (Brinker and Cheruvu, 2017). Moreover, emotionally sustaining relationship experiences in early life impact an individual's health throughout the lifespan .…”