Gender Variation and Late-life Depression: Findings from a National Survey in the USA

Abstract

Based on the Wave 3 National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (2015–2016), this study has extensive breadth in examining the roles of multiple stressors (i.e., health-related, social relationship, community) and coping resources (i.e., social participation and social support from family and friends) in explaining depressive symptomatology among a recent cohort of the U.S. national sample of community-dwelling older men (n = 1,431) and women (n = 1,673). Statistical additive and interactive models were tested. Results from this pre-COVID study serve as a baseline, and show that gender had significant independent and joint effects on stress and coping factors in explaining depressive symptoms. Parallel regression analyses were conducted for each group. Findings suggest that significantly more women (26.9%) reported depressive symptoms than men (19.9%) (CESD-11 score ≥ 9). Multivariate analyses show that unique predictors for older men’s depression include less support from friends, more cognitive challenges, and feeling less control in life. For women, less social participation, less emotional support from spouse, greater IADL impairment, and family disharmony were more significantly associated with their depressive symptoms than men’s. Contrary to the literature, community factors were not statistically significant in predicting depressive symptoms. Findings suggest that correlates of depressive symptoms impact older women and men differently. Results point to the need for gender-sensitive mental health services and programs to protect community-dwelling older adults in USA against depression, especially in light of the recent COVID era social proximity restrictions.