This study examined the relationship between qualitative and quantitative indicators of social support in the prediction of depression. Quantitative indicators were examined with regard to their direct effects on depression as well as their indirect effects through their relationship to perceived social support. Subjects were 301 community-dwelling elderly persons who were age 65 or older and in good physical and mental health. Subjects were interviewed three times; depression was assessed by the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, perceived social support was assessed by the Social Provisions Scale, and the networks of social relationships that provided respondents with each of the social provisions were assessed through personal interviews. The results revealed that perceived qualitative social support had a significant negative effect on later depression. Qualitative social support also was significantly correlated with initial levels of depression. Perceptions of being supported in ways such as through social integration, reassurance of one's worth, guidance from others, assistance from others, and the opportunity to nurture others had an important effect on whether or not an elderly subject became depressed. Findings support the contention that some minimum quantity of support is necessary to provide the qualities of support. Furthermore, quantitative social network characteristics, density and number of kin, predicted depression in the elderly over and above their effects on the perceived qualitative aspects of support. (NB)