Research dataset "<b>Retirement leisure</b>"

Objective: To verify whether loneliness and the characteristics of the social support network are associated with depression among retired older adults. Method: Observational, cross-sectional, and analytical studyThe sample consisted of 144 older adults. The inclusion criterion was being an older person with preserved communication ability and cognition, assessed using the Kahn Mental Status Questionnaire. Participants who did not meet the criteria established by this instrument were excluded.The instruments used were the UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA-BR), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), and the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Scale (MOS-SSS). Sociodemographic variables included age, sex, religion, education, monthly income, marital status, falls in the past month, polypharmacy, comorbidities, length of retirement, and self-rated health. Results: Mild to moderate levels of loneliness (p<0.001), low emotional support (p<0.003), low affective support (p<0.002), and low positive social interaction (p<0.001), as well as the predictors presence of comorbidities (p<0.021), fair or poor health perception (p<0.001), monthly income below the minimum wage (p<0.022), and being single (p<0.041), were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Conclusion: The study revealed that loneliness, low emotional, affective, and positive social interaction support, along with comorbidities, poor health perception, low income, and being single, increase vulnerability to depression among retired older adults.