Effects of social support interventions on depressive symptoms and quality of life among older adults : a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Interventions that include participation in social or group connections as measures to prevent or reduce depression have received little attention. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the effects of social support interventions on depressive symptoms and Quality of life (QoL) among older adults. METHODS: A detailed search of six databases comprising Medline, CINAHL, PubMed, Cochrane Library, African Journals Online and Web of Science Core Collections was conducted until January 2025. A review protocol was developed and registered with the PROSPERO database (ID-CRD42021283342). A meta-analysis was used to synthesize the findings of the included studies based on subgroups of social support interventions. Of the 1524 articles found from the six databases, only 16 randomised controlled trials (14 parallel and 2 cluster) were eligible for inclusion. CONCLUSION: Social support interventions included emotional support, social engagement, instrumental, instrumental and appraisal, and social engagement and appraisal support. Meta-analysis findings indicated that social support interventions had non-significant effects on depression and QoL among older adults. Social support interventions have the potential to reduce depressive symptoms and improve QoL. However, current evidence is insufficient to determine the impact of social support interventions on depression and QoL in older adults.