Trajectories of social support in adults with type 2 diabetes: Associations with depressive symptoms and functional disability

Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2019 Mar;34(3):480-487. doi: 10.1002/gps.5042. Epub 2018 Dec 28.

Abstract

Objectives: Little is known about temporal trajectories of social support in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and how they are associated with diabetes-related outcomes. This study identified and explored different trajectories of social support in a community sample of adults with T2D, as well as the extent to which different trajectories were prospectively associated with depressive symptoms and functional disability.

Methods: Data came from five annual waves of the Evaluation of Diabetes Treatment study (N = 1077). Social support, depressive symptoms, and functional disability were assessed via self-report. Separate analyses were conducted to examine the associations between social support trajectories, depressive symptoms, and functional disability, adjusting for demographic characteristics, diabetes-related covariates, and baseline depressive symptoms and functional disability.

Results: Latent class growth modeling identified four distinct social support trajectories. Trajectory Groups 1 and 2 comprised participants with persistently low and persistently moderate-low social support, respectively. Trajectory Groups 3 and 4 included participants with persistently moderate-high and persistently high social support, respectively. People with persistently low social support reported higher functional disability relative to those with persistently moderate-high and persistently high social support.

Conclusions: The findings of the present study indicate that temporal patterns of social support are a predictor of future functional disability among adults with T2D.

Keywords: community-based; depressive symptoms; functional disability; longitudinal; social support; type 2 diabetes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Depression / complications*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Self Report
  • Social Support*

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