Depressive Symptomatology and Perceived Social Support in Rural Women

Research indicates an inverse relationship between social support and depression (Elmore, 1984; Gulesserian & Warren, 1987; Hall, Williams, & Greenberg, 1985; Jacobsen, 1991; Sisney, 1993). Depression is more likely to occur when social support is inadequate. The purpose of this study was to (a) describe the incidence of depressive symptomatology in rural women, (b) identify levels of perceived social support in rural women, and (c) determine if perceived social support is related to depressive symptomatology in rural women. The Beck Depression Inventory (DDI) measured depressive symptoms and the Personal Resource Questionnaire 85 (PRQ85)- part II measured levels of perceived social support in 32 rural women from northwestern South Dakota. The mean BDI score was 11 indicating mild depressive symptoms. Fifty percent of the subjects reported depressive symptoms ranging from mild to severe. The mean PRQ score was 129. The BDI and PRQ scores were negatively correlated (-.76) with statistical significance of p = .00.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - University Access Only

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Graduate Nursing

Year

1997

Author dc:creator

• Hodgman, Ann H.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kay Foland

• depression in women
• mental health in rural women
• social networks of rural women
• Nursing

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright © 1997 Ann Hodgman. All rights reserved

Language dc:language

en

Repository record dc:identifier

https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/850

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:openprairie.sdstate.edu:etd-1850