SOCIAL SUPPORT, FAMILY CONNECTION, AND MENTAL HEALTH AMONG INSTITUTIONALIZED OLDER ADULTS IN VIETNAM: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Objectives: This study describes the characteristics of social support and mental health status among institutionalized older adults and examines the association between social support—specifically perceived social support and frequency of family contact—and mental health outcomes, including stress, anxiety, depression, and cognitive function. Materials and methods: Data from 196 older adults residing in a nursing home in Hanoi, Vietnam, were analyzed using multivariate linear regression to examine associations between social support and mental health indicators. Results: Perceived social support was significantly associated with lower stress, anxiety, and depression scores. For cognitive function (MMSE), frequency of family contact remained a significant predictor (β = .59 for very frequent contact, p < .001), whereas perceived social support was not significantly associated with MMSE scores, suggesting that structural aspects of social connection may be more relevant to cognitive outcomes than subjective appraisal of support. Conclusions: Greater perceived social support and more frequent family contact were associated with better mental health among institutionalized older adults, with perceived support most strongly associated with depression and stress, and family contact frequency uniquely associated with cognitive function. These findings, while preliminary given the cross-sectional design, small single-site sample, and reliance on self-report, point to the value of psychosocial support programs and meaningful family engagement in nursing home care. Keywords: nursing homes; mental health; older adults; perceived social support; cognitive function