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The Association Between Social Network Factors with Depression and Anxiety at Different Life Stages

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Abstract

This study examines whether social network factors influence individual’s depression and anxiety outcomes at different life stages. Data was drawn from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey. Hierarchical regression modelling was applied to examine the effects within and across different life stages. The depression and anxiety measures were taken from the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and the social network factors were taken from the self-completion questionnaire. With the exception of social trust in seniors, the social network factors were significant predictors of depression and anxiety. This has practical implications for the design of social policy initiatives.

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Acknowledgements

This paper uses unit record data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. The HILDA Project was initiated and is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services (DSS) and is managed by the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research (Melbourne Institute). The findings and views reported in this paper are those of the author and should not be attributed to either DSS or the Melbourne Institute.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Complex Systems Research Group, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    Andrew Levula & Michael Harré

  2. Menzies Centre for Health Policy, School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    Andrew Wilson

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  1. Andrew Levula
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  2. Michael Harré
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Correspondence to Andrew Levula.

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Levula, A., Harré, M. & Wilson, A. The Association Between Social Network Factors with Depression and Anxiety at Different Life Stages. Community Ment Health J 54, 842–854 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-017-0195-7

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