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Dimensions of Social Support and Social Conflict as Predictors of Caregiver Depression

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 January 2005

Eileen E. MaloneBeach
Affiliation:
Human Development and Family Studies, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, U.S.A.
Steven H. Zarit
Affiliation:
Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Abstract

The goal of this research was to examine the relationship of family social support and social conflict to stressors and depression. Fifty-seven caregiving women were interviewed regarding caregiving stressors, social support, and social conflict. Three dimensions of social support and social conflict were assessed: instrumental, informational, and affective. The findings supported the importance of distinguishing between social support and social conflict, and among the three dimensions of support and conflict. Respondents reported higher levels of support than of conflict, but consistent with earlier research, social support was not related as strongly to outcomes as social conflict was. Although instrumental support was related significantly to depression, informational and emotional support was not. Social conflict, however, was significantly related to depression. Both emotional conflict and informational conflict were significant predictors of depression. Implications for future research and interventions are discussed.

Type
Research and Reviews
Copyright
© 1995 Springer Publishing Company

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