Social support and depressive symptoms in older adults receiving hospice care: the mediating role of developmental task attainment.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Recognizing and addressing depressive symptoms among palliative care patients is essential, given their impact on quality of life, connections to increased physical symptoms, and links with heightened mortality risk. The current study aimed to identify the relationships between social support, developmental task attainment, and depressive symptoms in older hospice patients.

Methods

The study included 120 Polish older patients aged 60-87 years receiving home palliative care. Respondents completed the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Developmental Tasks Questionnaire for Seniors, the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale, and a sociodemographic survey.

Results

The overall level of perceived social support and all its dimensions were negatively associ

SUBMITTER: Zadworna M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12275376 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature