Social Network Connectivity and Depression Among Single Parents in Ghana: The Mediating Role of Anxiety

Scarce data exist on the association between social network connectivity (family and friends) and depression among single parents in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), and the mechanisms explaining the association are largely unknown. This study investigates the extent to which anxiety mediates the association between social network connectivity and depression among single parents in Ghana.

Data from 627 single parents were collected using a multi-stage stratified sampling technique. Social network connectivity was measured using the Lubben Social Network Scale-6 Item Version (LSNS-6), and depression was assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D-10). Multivariable OLS models and bootstrapping mediation analyses were performed.

The mean age (SD) was 45.0 (14.7) years, and 67.3% were females. After full adjustment, social network connectivity (B = -.060, SE = .021, 95% CI = -.100 to -.019, p < .005) was independently associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety (B = -.166, SE = .022, 95% CI = -.209 to -.122, p < .001), while anxiety (B = .597, SE = .035, 95% CI = .528 to .667, p < .001) is associated with higher levels of depression. Moreover, the social network connectivity-depression link was mediated by anxiety (indirect effect B = -.1000, 95% bootCI = -.1302 to -.0684), yielding 71.1% of the total effect. The sex-based mediation analysis indicated that anxiety explained a larger degree in males than in females.

Anxiety mediates the association between social network connectivity and depression among single parents in Ghana. Building resilient social network connectivity may provide a safety net in dealing with psychological problems among single parents.