Depression among older people in rural Uttar Pradesh, India: Does Kin and non-kin social networks matter?

Objectives: This study explores the association of specific social networks (children, relatives, friends and confidant) with depressive symptoms among older persons.

Method: A sample of 600 older persons aged 60+ living in the 12 village in the rural Uttar Pradesh was recruited using Multi-stage random sampling. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the composite international diagnostic interview scale. Berkman’s theoretical model of social relations linking to health is used to determine their applicability to the Indian older persons.

Results: Elderly people belonging to upper total social network had reported lowest depression (17 percent). However, older persons from low and mid total social network were 34 percent and 30 percent reported depression respectively. Multivariate analysis shows that, networks with ‘friends’ was only having statistically significant protective effect upon depression. Mid and upper category for ‘friends’ network versus the lower category appeared to be protective against depression. However, the specific network with children, relatives and confidant did not have significant effect on depression.

Conclusion: Intervention programs should be designed to promote the importance of strengthening non-familial social networks of older persons, particularly for those living alone.