Abstract

Individuals interact in different types of social relationships across their lifespan. Engaging in close and intimate relationships with a spouse, friends, parents, children, and siblings is associated with adaptive or maladaptive functioning. The present study examined the associations between relational support and strain, depression, and resilience across the lifespan, and whether the effects of relational support and strain from different relationship sources on depression and resilience vary by age group. Relational support and strain from different relationship sources (i.e., a spouse, friends, parents, children, and siblings) were assessed in a sample of 1033 participants (20-29 years=210, 30-39 years=203, 40-49 years=204, 50-59 years=209, 60 years or older=207; female=207, male=513) and used to predict depression and resilience. The results of hierarchical regression analysis indicated that relational support from a spouse and friends negatively predicted depression, while relational strain from a spouse positively predicted depression. In addition, relational support from friends and children positively predicted resilience, while relational strain from children negatively predicted resilience. The results also found evidence of moderating effects, such that the positive effects of spousal support on depression were stronger in females than males, and the positive effects of children’s support on resilience were stronger for those in their 30s and 40s compared to other age groups.