The Association of Social Networks and Depression in Community-dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Review

Background & Objective: Depression is a globally prevalent mental condition, particularly among older adults. Previous research has identified that social networks have a buffering effect on depression. Existing systematic literature reviews have either limited their research to specific geographic areas or provided evidence from over a decade ago. The vast body of recent literature particularly from the last decade emphasizes the need for a comprehensive review. This systematic literature review aims to analyze the association of structural aspects of social networks and depression in older adults. Methods: Relevant electronic databases (APA PsycINFO, ProQuest, PSYINDEX, PubMed, Scopus, SocINDEX, and Web of Science) are systematically searched for English articles published until July 2023. Starting from 47,702 articles matching the keywords search on social networks and depression among older adults (mean ≥60 years) and adhering to strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, 128 articles are identified. Results: The study categorizes structural network aspects into seven domains and finds that larger and more diverse networks, along with closer social ties, help mitigate depression. The literature on the relationships between depression and network density, homogeneity, and geographical proximity is scarce and inconclusive. Discussion and Implications: Despite inconsistent findings, this review highlights the importance of quantifying complex social relations of older adults. Further research should use longitudinal approaches to further investigate the reciprocal relationship between social networks and depression. Following this review, interventions should promote the integration of older adults in larger and more diverse social settings. Systematic review registration: This systematic review was pre-registered. The review-protocol can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/6QDPK.