The aim of this study was to find the relative factor between social support and mental health of elderly people living in the Hanshin urban area. Using a self-rated questionnaire under informed consent, we tried to clarify the types of social support for elderly people and the relationship between social support and life development or mental health at the time of the Great Hanshin Earthquake.
Results: 477 (male: 146, female 331) people responded. Those who had support from their family, friends and/or neighbors showed a better mental score, but the group receiving 10% or less social support tended to suffer from depression more frequently.