Emotional Support Cuts Depression Risk 30%

An international study led by Dr. Suraj Samtani and published in the American Journal of Epidemiology has found that emotional support, such as having someone to talk to when feeling stressed, is linked to significantly lower levels of depression among older adults, both now and into the future.

The large-scale meta-analysis combined data from nearly 24,000 people aged 54 to 99, across 11 countries including Australia, the United States, South Korea, Sweden and Brazil. The findings underscore the vital role emotional connection plays in protecting mental health as we age.

"Our study shows that emotional support, more than practical help with daily tasks, plays a powerful protective role against depression in older age," said lead author Dr. Suraj Samtani and Post-Doctoral Fellow at UNSW's Center for Healthy Brain Aging (CHeBA). "It highlights how crucial it is for older people to feel heard, understood and emotionally connected to others."

The research team drew on data from the Cohort Studies of Memory in an International Consortium (COSMIC) led by CHeBA, using individual-level data to conduct one of the most comprehensive investigations into the mental health effects of social support in aging populations.

While emotional support was consistently linked to reduced depressive symptoms, instrumental support, such as help with practical activities like shopping or transportation, was not found to have the same mental health benefit.

"It's not that practical help isn't valuable," explained Dr. Samtani, "but it doesn't appear to protect against depression in the same way. In fact, for some people, needing help with everyday tasks may increase feelings of helplessness or loss of independence."

Depression affects more than 25 million older adults worldwide, with late-life depression significantly increasing the risk of other health problems including dementia, cardiovascular disease, and poorer quality of life. The global burden of depression has surged by nearly 50% since 1990.

The study spanned 11 diverse urban populations across Asia, Europe, North and South America, and found the benefits of emotional support were consistent across cultures and regions.

"We were surprised by how robust the link was across such diverse countries," said Dr. Samtani. "From Australia to South Korea, emotional support mattered."

The researchers suggest that public health initiatives should focus on building emotional connections—whether through community groups, digital platforms, or intergenerational programs—as a way to protect mental health in aging populations.

CHeBA's co-directors, Professors Perminder Sachdev AM and Henry Brodaty AO, say this study confirms the power of big data; the collaboration across multiple studies and countries to share information generously provided by participants.

"It is impressive that the findings were consistent across so many different countries and cultural groups. Future research showing that promoting social support reduces depression would be an even more compelling story," they said.

"Promoting opportunities for older people to share, connect and feel emotionally supported could be a key strategy in preventing depression," Dr. Samtani said. "This study adds weight to the idea that loneliness and lack of emotional connection aren't just sad, they're dangerous."

The researchers call for future policy and research to go beyond the traditional focus on physical needs in aging and place equal—if not greater—emphasis on emotional well-being.