Objectives: Few Korean studies have explored factors that influence depressive symptoms, a condition that is likely to increase with age. This study examines how worries, psychosocial resources, specifically family support, are related to depressive symptoms among a sample of the oldest old in South Korea. The buffering effects of psychosocial resources previously identified as reducing the impact of worries on depression in the younger old age group were also examined.
Method: Interviews were conducted with 213 community-dwelling oldest old in Seoul, Korea in 2007. 193 of these had children and were included in the analysis. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses.
Results: Greater worries were significantly related to greater severity of depressive symptoms among South Korean oldest old. Psychosocial resources including mastery, emotional support from adult children, and instrumental support from adult children had main effects on depressive symptoms. Emotional support from adult children had a powerful buffering effect on the relationship between worries and depressive symptoms.
Conclusion: Worries and certain aspects of social support are important in understanding the depressive symptoms of South Korean oldest old. Incorporating filial support into the development of services for this age group could be helpful to treating their symptoms of depression.