Perceived Social Support Mediates the Relationship Between Benefit Finding and Depressive Symptoms Among Young and Middle-Aged Stroke Survivors and Their Spouse Caregivers

BACKGROUND: Existing literature indicates that benefit finding and social support play protective roles against depressive symptoms. However, there is a lack of understanding regarding the interplay between benefit finding, social support, and depressive symptoms within the dyadic context of stroke survivor-spousal caregiver relationships. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate the relationships among benefit finding, social support, and depressive symptoms in young and middle-aged stroke survivors and their spouse caregivers. In addition, the mediating role of social support in the association between benefit finding and depressive symptoms is explored. METHODS: A total of 203 pairs of stroke survivor-spouse caregiver were included in the study. Depressive symptoms, social support, and benefit finding were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Perceived Social Support Scale, the Benefit Finding Scale, and the Caregiver Benefit Finding Scale. The Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model was used to assess direct and indirect effect. RESULTS: The findings revealed a significant negative association between higher levels of benefit finding and lower depressive symptoms in both stroke survivors (actor effect, -0.126) and spousal caregivers (partner effect, -0.044). Perceived social support emerged as a significant mediator in the relationship between benefit finding and depressive symptoms in spousal caregivers (indirect effect, -0.024). Furthermore, spousal caregivers' perceived social support served as a mediating variable between caregiver benefit finding and depressive symptoms in stroke survivors (indirect effect, -0.023). CONCLUSION: The study underscores the interdependence between stroke survivors and spousal caregivers, highlighting the mutual influence they have on each other. Consequently, targeted interventions addressing both members of the dyad, with a focus on enhancing benefit finding and social support, could prove beneficial in ameliorating depressive symptoms in stroke survivor-spousal caregiver.