سامانه همایش های دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی واحد نجف آباد

صفحه اصلی / اولین همایش بین المللی تحول خدمات سلامت: تلفیق مراقبت، درمان، بازتوانی و امیدبخشی

Effects of Social Support and Peer Group Participation on Reducing Depression in Older Adults: A Narrative Review, 2020-2026

نویسندگان :

Parniya Abolghaseminejad¹

1- دانشگاه علوم پزشکی تهران

کلمات کلیدی :

Aged،Depression،Social Support،Peer Group،Social Participation،Loneliness

چکیده :

Background: Depression in later life is associated with impaired functioning and disrupted social connections. Social support and participation in peer groups may complement integrated health and social care, although further research is needed to establish definitive evidence of their specific, direct effects on reducing depression in older adults. This review examines evidence published between January 2020 and October 2026. Method: Targeted searches of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science identified observational studies, randomized trials, and systematic reviews. Depressive symptoms were distinguished from loneliness. Individual peer support, groups facilitated by professionals, and ordinary social participation were examined separately; no new statistical pooling of findings was performed. Finding: The findings indicated that stronger social support and greater participation were associated with fewer depressive symptoms. Some structured support programs combined with psychological interventions reduced depressive symptoms, but the effects differed across programs. Reduced loneliness was not necessarily accompanied by an improvement in depression. Available evidence was insufficient to establish the superiority of peer support over social contact or the independent effect of peer groups on reducing depression. Conclusion: Social support and meaningful participation may complement care, treatment, rehabilitation, and services intended to inspire hope for older adults. Programs should combine depression assessment, trained facilitators, accessible participation, and clinical referral when needed. Depression should be measured directly, and improvements in loneliness should not be regarded as definitive evidence of recovery. Future trials require active comparators, longer follow-up, cultural adaptation, and a clearer evaluation of the specific contribution of peer participation to depression outcomes.