Age‐Related Internalized Stigma and Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults: The Moderating Role of Perceived Social Support

BACKGROUND: Age-related internalized stigma may be associated with depressive symptoms in later life, whereas perceived social support may represent an important psychosocial resource. This study examined the associations of age-related internalized stigma and perceived social support with depressive symptoms and tested whether perceived social support moderated the association between age-related internalized stigma and depressive symptoms. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 162 community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and older. Age-related internalized stigma, perceived social support and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Elderly Internalized Stigma Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale, respectively. Multivariable linear regression and moderation analyses were performed. RESULTS: Higher age-related internalized stigma was associated with higher depressive symptom scores (β = 0.205, 95% CI: [0.099, 0.311]), whereas higher perceived social support was associated with lower depressive symptom scores (β = -0.506, 95% CI: [-0.636, -0.375]). The interaction between age-related internalized stigma and perceived social support was significant (B = -0.002, 95% CI: [-0.003, -0.001], p < 0.001). Age-related internalized stigma was associated with depressive symptoms at low and median levels of perceived social support but not at high levels. CONCLUSIONS: Age-related internalized stigma, perceived social support and depressive symptoms were strongly interrelated in this sample. The moderation pattern was consistent with an attenuation of the association between age-related internalized stigma and depressive symptoms at higher levels of perceived social support; however, the cross-sectional design and substantial overlap among the study constructs warrant cautious interpretation.