The effects of an acute stressor on depressive symptoms among older adults- The moderating effects of social support and age

This study uses longitudinal data to examine the potential moderating effec ts:of social support and age among older adults exposed to an acute stresso r. Using a sample of 651 older persons, data were gathered in the spring of 1992 and in the fall of 1993, approximately 60 days after the peak impact: of flooding in the Midwest. Results indicate a positive association betwee n pre- and postflood depression and a negative association between social s upport and postflood depression. For the youngest of the two older age grou ps, there is also a positive association between flood exposure and postflo od depression, controlling for prior levels of depression. Age interactions reveal that social support moderates the effects of flood exposure on depr ession only for the younger age group.