Influence of Social Support and Gender on Depressive Symptoms Among Orthopaedic Patients

ABSTRACT The study examined the influence of social support and gender on depressive symptoms among orthopaedic patients. Three hundred (161 males and 139 females) patients of National Orthopaedic hospital, Enugu, aged 20 to 35 years (mean age = 23.90, SD = 2.70), participated in the study. Social Support was measured using Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, while depression was measured using Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Two-way analysis of variance showed that social support and gender did not significantly influence patients’ depressive symptoms. Further, gender did not also significantly influence depressive symptoms among orthopaedic patients. Thus, there was no interaction effect between social support and gender on depression. The implications of findings were discussed, limitations outlined and recommendations for future studies made.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page i

Certification ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgements iv

Table of Contents v

List of Tables vii

List of Appendices viii

Abstract ix

Chapter One: Introduction 1

Statement of the Problem 4

Purpose of Study 5

Chapter Two: Literature Review 6

Theoretical Review 6

Empirical Review 15

Summary of Literature Reviewed 20

Hypotheses 21

Chapter Three: Method 22

Participants 22

Instruments 22

Procedure 24

Design/Statistics 25

Chapter Four: Results 26

Chapter Five: Discussion 28

Implications of the Study 30

Limitations of the study and Suggestions for Further studies 33

Summary and Conclusion 33

References 35

Appendices 39