Table 1

Study characteristics of included studies

NoAuthor
(Year of publication)		CountryStudy designStudy subjectsnSocial support measureDepression measurementCovariatesQuality score
1Chao
(2011)49 		TaiwanProspective cohort60 years and above older adults1743Integrated measure of social support.
Structural and received support		Centre of Epidemiological Studies Depression ScaleAge, gender, education, ethnicity, physical status.7
2Chen et al
(2012)46 		ChinaProspective cohort60 years and above older adults262Living status
Lubben Social Network Scale		Major depressive episode Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IVGender, education level, health status.7
3Chou et al
(2003)37 		Hong KongProspective cohort70 years and above older adults554Lubben Social Network ScaleCentre of Epidemiological Studies Depression ScaleAge, gender, marital status, physical health variables.8
4Hashimoto et al
(1999)56 		JapanProspective cohort60 years and above receiving home help.303Social Support QuestionnaireCentre of Epidemiological Studies Depression ScaleADL, life stressors.6
5Koizumi et al
(2005)38 		JapanProspective cohort70 years and above older adults475Five questions:
To consult in trouble
To consult in bad physical condition
To help with your daily housework
To take to a hospital
To take care of you		Geriatric Depression ScaleSex, age, GDS score in 2002, presence or absence of spouse, number of household members, number or past physical diseases, age at finishing school education, MMSE score, physical function, pain, self-rated health.8
6Ang et al
(2016)36 		SingaporeCross-sectional60 years and above older adults2766Multicomponent, number of types of received social supportCentre of Epidemiological Studies Depression ScaleRace, housing type, education, age group, living arrangements, employment status, number of children, difficulties in activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, number of chronic illness, vision and hearing difficulties, and provision of support.7
7Chan et al
(2011)54 		MacauCross-sectional60 years and above older men839Lubben Social Network ScaleGeriatric Depression ScaleDemographic factors, health needs/behaviour factors.8
8Chan et al
(2009)53 		MacauCross-sectional60 years and above older women1042Lubben Social Network ScaleGeriatric Depression ScaleDemographic factors, health needs/behaviour factors.8
9Chi et al
(2001)42 		Hong KongCross-sectional60 years and above older adults1106

  1. Social network size

  2. Network composition

  3. Social contact frequency

  4. Satisfaction of social support

  5. Instrumental/emotional support

  6. Helping others

Centre of Epidemiological Studies Depression ScaleAge, gender, years of education, functional impairment, helping others.6
10Gong et al
(2012)51 		ChinaCross-sectional60 years and above older adults1317Family social supportBeck Depression Inventory BDI-IIGender, education, physical health, living arrangement, economic status, negative life events.6
11Lee et al
(2005)57 		Japan
Korea		Cross-sectional65 years and above older. Comparison between rural Japan and urban Korea.Japan 1495
Korea 1298		Social Support IndexGeriatric Depression ScaleOccupation, alcohol drinking, arthritis, hypertension, stroke, heart disease and fracture.8
12Leung et al
(2007)39 		TaiwanCross-sectional65 years and above older adults507Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS)Symptom Checklist 90 RAge, gender, location, ADL, diseases.7
13Li et al
(2016)43 		ChinaCross-sectional60 years and above older adults5103Social support and participation

  1. Partnered status

  2. Children nearby

  3. Social participation

  4. Elderly activity centre in community

Centre of Epidemiological Studies Depression ScaleAge, gender, education, chronic conditions.6
14Li et al
(2015)58 		SingaporeCross-sectional65 years and above older adults162DUKE Social Support IndexGeriatric Depression ScaleAge, gender, education, perceived income adequacy, perceived life quality, loneliness, resilience.5
15Ng et al
(2014)40 		SingaporeCross-sectional60 years and above older adults2447Support accessible to an individual through social ties to other individuals, groups and larger communityGeriatric Depression ScaleAge, gender, ethnic group, chronic illness, activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living.6
16Piboon et al
(2012)55 		ThailandCross-sectional60 years and above older adults317Personal Resource QuestionnaireGeriatric Depression ScaleAge, gender, religion, marital status, income, occupation, education level, chronic illness.7
17Shin et al
(2008)41 		KoreaCross-sectional65 years and above older adults787Medical Outcome Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS)DSM-IV, include both major and minor depressive disorder, GDS-K, HAM-DAge, gender, education, cohabitation, low income.7
18Suttajit et al
(2010)52 		ThailandCross-sectional60 years and above older adults1104Six deficits of Social SupportEURO-DAge, gender, marital status, education, socioeconomic status, work status.7
19Tiedt
(2010)48 		JapanCross-sectional65 years and above older adults3807Instrumental and emotional support elders receivedCentre of Epidemiological Studies Depression ScaleHealth model control for poor health. Age, gender, income, education.6
20Tsai et al
(2005)50 		TaiwanCross-sectional65 years and above older adults with depression and compared with non-depressed1200Social support network
Quantities of social support
Satisfaction of social support		Geriatric Depression ScaleGender, educational level, marital status, number of diseases, satisfaction with living situation, perceived health status, perceived income adequacy, cognitive status, functional status, chronic disease.7
21Tsuboi et al
(2016)44 		JapanCross-sectional65 years and above older adults24 6322-Way Social Support ScaleGeriatric Depression ScaleAge, gender, marital status, medical treatment, living status, income, education. Controlled for age, comorbidity of serious disease, living status, equivalent income, years of schooling.7
22Wang et al
(2012)47 		ChinaCross-sectional60 years and above older adults209Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS)Geriatric Depression ScaleAge, education, gender.7
23Wee et al
(2014)59 		SingaporeCross-sectional60 years and above older adults559Lubben Social Network ScaleGeriatric Depression ScaleAge, gender, marital status, ethnicity, education, socioeconomic economic, medical history, functional history, geriatric history.7
24Yoo et al
(2016)45 		KoreaCross-sectional65 years and above older adults in three different groups: (1) Low income group living at home. (2) Older adults who visit community hall. (3) Older adults who visit senior welfare centres.648Perceived Social Support Scale (Song 1991)Geriatric Depression ScaleAge, gender, education, health, living arrangement, physical variables.8

  • ADL, activities of daily living; GDS, Geriatric Depression Scale; MMSE, Mini Mental State Examination.