The Impact of Friends’ Social Support on Depression of Young Adults with Visual Impairments

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the association between social support from friends and depression in young adults with visual impairments. Forty young adults with visual impairments, ranging in age from 18 to 40 years, completed the 21-item Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-I) and a self-developed social support questionnaire. Significant individual predictors of depression were negative practical support and positive practical support. The respondents who received more positive practical social support from their friends reported fewer depressive symptoms. Furthermore, fewer depressive symptoms were also associated with receipt of less negative practical social support.