The Impact of Relationship-Specific Support and Strain on Depressive Symptoms Across the Life Course

Objective: This study integrates stress process theory into a life course framework to examine how support and strain from particular relationship types (spouse/partner, children, mother, and friends/relatives) influence trajectories of depressive symptoms among different age groups, net of support and strain from other relationship types. Method: Latent growth curve models were used on nationally representative panel data (N = 3,617) from the Americans’ Changing Lives survey (1986, 1989, 1994, and 2001/2002). Results: Net of support and strain from other relationships, support from a spouse was related to fewer depressive symptoms among each age group. Friendships were important for depressive symptoms among younger and older adults, whereas only support/strain from family relationships influenced depressive symptoms among adults in midlife. Discussion: Findings demonstrate the importance of support and strain in multiple types of network members for the mental health of adults across the life course.

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