Citation

Lee J, Smith JP. Res. Aging 2011; 33(5): 551-575.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0164027511409440

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In this article, the authors examine gender differences in educational gradients in depressive symptoms of married couples and identify what accounts for education gradients for husbands and wives. They use a nationally representative sample of married couples from the 2006 Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, which collected information about depressive symptoms and risk factors for both spouses. Results show that for married couples, there are significant education gradients in depressive symptoms for both husbands and wives. Economic resources, physical health, children, and the relationship of spouse explain educational gradients of both husbands and wives. On the other hand, work and organized social activities are important pathways for husbands but not for wives. In contrast, spouse's educational attainment accounts for wives' educational gradient but not husbands'. The authors conclude that education is a strong predictor of depressive symptoms, but the pathways linking education to depressive symptoms differ between men and women.