ABSTRACT

The present study investigated the effects of two aspects ofsocial support (structural and functional) in the association betweenphysical health and depressed affect among community-residingolder adults (n = 228). Data were collected at 2 measurementpoints of time with 6-month-interval. Results indicated thatdeterioration of physical health was related with higher level ofdepressed affect in older adults. Importantly, satisfaction with socialcontacts (subjective social support) predicted lower levels ofdepressed affect, while frequency of social participation (objectivesocial support) had no effect on depressed affect at bothmeasurement points. Thus, subjective social support played thecrucial role in predicting depressed affect in the associationbetween physical health and psychological well-being amongelderly people.