P01-10 - Absence of Social Support in the Course of Dysthymic Disorder

Abstract

Introduction and objectives

Absence of social support has its role in the etiology and maintaining of depression, showing inability of the depressive subjects to built and to sustain interpersonal relationships, and to mobilize social support at the time of crisis. The objective of our investigation was to establish the level of social support in the patients suffering from dysthymic disorder, in the course of the disorder.

Methods

The sample participants included 40 patients who fulfilled DSM-IV criteria for the dysthymic disorder (mean age 40.65, SD 3.70), and 40 corresponding healthy controls (M 37.50, SD 8.05). The following instruments for assessment of social support were used: Social Support Index, Family Hardiness Index, Family Coping Coherence Index, Relative and Friend Support (McCubbin, et al., 1982,1986).

Results

The dysthymic disorder patients compared to the healthy controls, had statistically significant lower values (p< 0.001) of Social Support Index, Family Hardiness Index, Family Coping Coherence Index and of Relative and Friend Support.

Conclusion

In the course of the disorder, those suffering from dysthymic disorder compared to the healthy controls, had a significantly lower level of social support, indicating absence of a reparative role of social support in maintaining the psychological well-being.