Social support and the social environment of depressed and normal women

A brief self-report measure of social support was administered initially to a student population, and then to a sample of hospitalized depressed women. Comparison of the responses of the 32 patients with 35 student women of similar age showed no differences between the groups in number of cohabitants or of casual friends, or in faith in the value of talking over one's problems. Patients were more likely than controls to report having no or few confidants, nobody confiding in them, and little confidence in being liked by others. Training in social skills specific to fostering intimacy is suggested as a therapeutic step, and modifications to the social support measure for future use discussed.