The relationship between social network and depressive symptoms in patients with heart failure: The parallel mediating roles of social support and family functioning

This study aimed to explore the parallel mediating effects of social support and family functioning in the relationship between social network and depressive symptoms in patients with heart failure. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 282 patients with heart failure. Validated self-report measurements were used to assess social network, social support, family functioning, and depressive symptoms. Parallel multiple mediation models were tested using the PROCESS macro in SPSS. The parallel mediation analysis indicated that social network exerted a significant direct effect on depressive symptoms, and had two indirect effects on depression symptoms via social support and family functioning. This study revealed potential mechanisms by which social network affects depressive symptoms through two novel mediators, that is, social support and family functioning. Findings suggest that enhancing social support and promoting family functioning may help to alleviate depressive symptoms in patients with heart failure, especially among those with a smaller social network.