Perceived Social Support Mediates the Relationship Between Benefit Finding and Depressive Symptoms Among Young and Middle-Aged Stroke Survivors and Their Spouse Caregivers

Background Existing literature indicates that benefit finding and social support play protective roles against depressive symptoms. However, there is a lack of understanding regarding the interplay between benefit finding, social support, and depressive symptoms within the dyadic context of stroke survivor-spousal caregiver relationships. Objective The objective of this study is to investigate the relationships among benefit finding, social support, and depressive symptoms in young and middle-aged stroke survivors and their spouse caregivers. In addition, the mediating role of social support in the association between benefit finding and depressive symptoms is explored. Methods A total of 203 pairs of stroke survivor-spouse caregiver were included in the study. Depressive symptoms, social support, and benefit finding were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Perceived Social Support Scale, the Benefit Finding Scale, and the Caregiver Benefit Finding Scale. The Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model was used to assess direct and indirect effect. Results The findings revealed a significant negative association between higher levels of benefit finding and lower depressive symptoms in both stroke survivors (actor effect, −0.126) and spousal caregivers (partner effect, −0.044). Perceived social support emerged as a significant mediator in the relationship between benefit finding and depressive symptoms in spousal caregivers (indirect effect, −0.024). Furthermore, spousal caregivers' perceived social support served as a mediating variable between caregiver benefit finding and depressive symptoms in stroke survivors (indirect effect, −0.023). Conclusion The study underscores the interdependence between stroke survivors and spousal caregivers, highlighting the mutual influence they have on each other. Consequently, targeted interventions addressing both members of the dyad, with a focus on enhancing benefit finding and social support, could prove beneficial in ameliorating depressive symptoms in stroke survivor-spousal caregiver.