Work

The Mediating Effect of Functional Social Support in the Pathway Between Memory and Depressive Symptoms: A Longitudinal Mediation Analysis of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background Memory impairment and depressive symptoms are common in aging adults, often leading to adverse health outcomes. While memory difficulties are strongly associated with depressive symptoms, whether functional social support mediates this relation is underexplored. Objective We examined the mediating role of functional social support and assessed moderated mediation by age group and sex. Analyses were adjusted for relevant sociodemographic, health, and lifestyle covariates. Methods We utilized three timepoints of data (baseline, 3-year follow-up, and 6-year follow-up) from 5,958 participants aged 45–85 years who were enrolled in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging’s Tracking Cohort. Results Functional social support partially mediated the inverse association between memory and depressive symptoms ( β ^ a b p a t h = −0.02; β ^ c ‐ p r i m e p a t h = −0.07; β ^ c p a t h = −0.08; all p < .05; proportion mediated = 0.25). We did not observe any moderated mediation. Interventions to enhance functional social support may strengthen the inverse association between memory and depressive symptoms.

Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology

DOI: 10.1177/07334648261487098

Authors: Ifunanya Modebelu, Ashok Chaurasia, Colleen J. Maxwell, Mark Oremus

Institution: University of Waterloo

Language: English

Topic: Aging and Gerontology Research

Subfield: Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,400