Social Support Buffers the Association Between Alcohol Use and Depression in Australian Men

Alcohol use and depression are known correlates of one another, especially in men, and are influenced by a range of demographic and psychosocial factors. This study examined the association between alcohol use and depressive symptoms in a large representative cohort of Australian men. We also tested whether this association differed by men's age, household income, social support, illicit drug use and help-seeking.

Using data from four waves (2013-2022) of the Longitudinal Study of Men's Health (Ten to Men; N = 13 776), linear regression models were estimated using generalised estimating equations, with additive adjustment for confounders. Moderation was tested with the sequential addition of interaction terms to the fully adjusted models.

Alcohol use was positively associated with depressive symptoms (b = 0.13, 95% CI 0.11-0.14), even after controlling for confounders. An interaction with social support was observed, whereby the association between alcohol use and depression decreased in strength among men with higher social support. No such interactions were observed for age, household income, illicit drug use or help-seeking.

Results indicated that while alcohol use was a robust correlate of depression symptoms in men, higher social support buffered this association. SO WHAT?: Findings underscore the value of social support as an important protective factor in men's mental health, especially with regard to co-occurring alcohol use and depression.