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Life events, social support and depression
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, U.K.
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica. Supplementum
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Social stress and life events are linked to the onset and relapse of clinical depression. Supportive interventions during high-risk periods following major life events may help prevent depressive disorders.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Social Science
Background:
- Clinical depression is frequently preceded by stressful life events.
- The role of social support in depression onset and relapse requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current findings on social stress and support in clinical depression.
- To examine the relationship between life events, social support, and depressive disorder.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies comparing life events in individuals with depression and general population controls.
- Analysis of the impact of social support on depression onset, outcome, and relapse.
Main Results:
- Consistently elevated rates of threatening and undesirable life events are observed preceding depressive episodes.
- Social support absence is associated with depression onset and relapse, potentially modifying the impact of life events.
- Life events are moderately associated with depression outcome and relapse over a 6-12 month period.
Conclusions:
- Social stress, particularly major life events, signifies an increased risk period for depression.
- Interventions focused on social support during these high-risk periods may be crucial for preventing the development of depressive disorders.
- Individual behavior significantly influences the availability of social support, complicating its role in depression.