Social Support as a Mediator Between Depressive Symptoms and Quality of Life in Schizophrenia

Abstract

Purpose: The past researches showed that the social supports impact on depressive symptoms and quality of life, but few unifying models delineate interrelationships of these variables.The first purpose of this study was to explore the association between depressive symptoms and social support in addition to quality of life in schizophrenia patients. Secondly, we tested the hypothesis that the association between depressive symptoms and quality of life would be mediated by social support. Methods: We collected data by convenience samples (N=64) recruited from outpatient departments and day care in northern medical hospitals in Taiwan. All subjects completed background questionnaires, Chinese Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Beck Depressive Inventory II, and WHOQOL-BREF Taiwan version. Results: Correlation analysis showed that social support was positively correlated with quality of life and negatively correlated with depressive symptoms, and the depressive symptoms was negatively correlated with quality of life. Structural equation modeling with a mediating effect suggested that depressive symptoms were negatively related to social support and quality of life, and social support was positively associated with quality of life. A Sobel test of significance confirmed a mediated effect (p < .001). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that social support can be a mediating factor between depressive symptoms and quality of life and suggest psychiatric nurses understand the importance of social support and use it in family, friend, and medical support systems.