Relationships Among Social Support, Coping Strategy, and Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults With Diabetes

The current study aimed to examine the relationships among social support, coping strategy, and depressive symptoms in older adults with diabetes, and the mediating role of coping strategy in the relationship between social support and depressive symptoms. Participants were 152 older adults with diabetes from two community health service centers in Chongqing, China. Self-reported questionnaires were used to assess social support, coping strategy, and depressive symptoms. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, hierarchical multiple regression, and mediation analysis. Subjective support, support utilization, and coping strategy were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Positive and negative coping had significant mediating effects on the relationship between subjective support or support utilization and depressive symptoms. To alleviate depressive symptoms in older adults with diabetes, assessment and enhancement of social support and facilitation of positive coping strategy are integral to nursing care for older adults with diabetes. [ Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 45 (4), 40–46.]