Social networks are known to protect against depressive symptoms in older adults. However, most research relies on retrospective self-reported depression measures and cross-sectional data, which may introduce bias. Ecological momentary assessment with longitudinal data overcomes these limitations by repeatedly measuring the subject’s experience in the present moment. This study examined how social network characteristics relate to momentary depressive symptoms and their daily fluctuations in older adults.
We analysed data from 216 older adults in Paris, France, using the Healthy Aging and Networks in Cities and Promoting Mental Well-Being and Healthy Aging in Cities studies. Social network characteristics included network size and frequency of in-person and digital interactions per week. Depressive symptomatology was assessed using a daily smartphone survey of the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression over a week. Linear mixed-effect models estimated associations between social network characteristics and momentary depressive symptoms, while multivariable linear models examined relationships with daily symptom fluctuations.
Network size and frequency of contact from digital communications per week were not associated with fewer depressive symptoms; however, there was suggestion that having more in-person contact was related to fewer depressive symptoms (exp(β) = 0.90, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.00). Moreover, having a larger social network (exp(β) = 0.91, 95% CI 0.85 to 0.98) and more in-person contacts (exp(β) = 0.96, 95% CI 0.93 to 0.98) were associated with less fluctuations in daily depressive symptoms, but no association for the frequency of contact from digital communications was observed.
Findings from this study suggest that larger social networks and more in-person contact may promote more stable and better mental health among older adults.