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The association of hearing problems with social network strength and depressive symptoms: the cardiovascular health study.

TitleThe association of hearing problems with social network strength and depressive symptoms: the cardiovascular health study.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2022
AuthorsDobrota, SD, Biggs, ML, Pratt, S, Popat, R, Odden, MC
JournalAge Ageing
Volume51
Issue8
Date Published2022 Aug 02
ISSN1468-2834
KeywordsAged, Depression, Female, Hearing Loss, Humans, Male, Self Report, Social Networking
Abstract<p><b>BACKGROUND: </b>research on the association between hearing impairment and psychosocial outcomes is not only limited but also yielded mixed results.</p><p><b>METHODS: </b>we investigated associations between annual self-reports of hearing problems, depressive symptoms and social network strength among 5,888 adults from the Cardiovascular Health Study over a period of 9 years. Social network strength and depressive symptoms were defined using the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS), and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D).</p><p><b>RESULTS: </b>hearing problems were associated with weaker social networks and more depressive symptoms. These association differed for prevalent versus incident hearing problems. Participants with prevalent hearing problems scored an adjusted 0.47 points lower (95% CI: -2.20, -0.71) on the LSNS and 0.71 points higher (95% CI: 0.23, 1.19) on the CES-D than those without hearing problems. Participants with incident hearing problems had a greater decline of 0.12 points (95% CI: -0.12, -0.03) per year in social network score than individuals with no hearing problems after adjusting for confounders. Females appeared to be more vulnerable to changes in social network strength than males (P-value for interaction = 0.02), but not for changes in depressive score. Accounting for social network score did not appear to attenuate the association between hearing problems and depressive score.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION: </b>findings suggest that older adults with prevalent hearing problems may be more at risk for depression, but individuals with incident hearing problems may be at greater risk for a winnowing of their social network.</p>
DOI10.1093/ageing/afac181
Alternate JournalAge Ageing
PubMed ID35977151
PubMed Central IDPMC9385182
Grant ListHHSN268201200036C / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
R01AG023629 / NS / NINDS NIH HHS / United States
/ AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
ePub date: 
22/08