Social Support: An Effective Resource for Reducing the Disparities in Depression across Socioeconomic Strata

Abstract

This study intends to examine the effectiveness of social support in terms of its effect in reducing the SES-based disparity of depression. Using data from a national probability sample of 14,850 South Korean adults aged 18 or older in 2006, we examined whether or not and how social support has different effects on depression across SES groups. The variables which corresponded with the five aspects of social support were taken into account. We found that the beneficial effects of all the social support variables on depression were stronger in groups with lower educational attainment or lower household income. Social support is an effective resource in terms of reducing depression in lower socioeconomic groups. Alleviating the specific health disparities arising from SES factors is possible. This study proposes that social support provided through social intervention be focused on in order to realize this goal.