The Link between Marital Transitions and Depression in Later Life: Does Early-Life Adversity matter?

Einleitung:

Research has documented the impact of marital transitions-particularly marital loss-on depression in old age, yet their severity depends multiple factors. For example, individuals' capability to cope with transitions varies in terms of available resources and previous exposure to stressors, such as early-life adversity, which buffers or aggravates the impact of marital transitions on later-life depression. Although studies documented the pivotal link between early-life adversity and negative health trajectories, our study is the first attempt to examine whether early-life adversity influences the relationship between later-life marital transitions and depression.

Material & Methoden:

We drew data from SHARE, which samples individuals aged 50+ in 27 European countries. The final analytic sample consisted of 13,258 respondents tracked across six waves (2004 – 2015). Our outcome was the Euro-D depression scale. Our main predictors were prospectively tracked marital transitions (always partnered, always single, and became widowed over the observation period); early-life SES at age 10; and adulthood SES. We used multilevel linear models that were stratified by gender and adjusted for age, birth cohort, physical activity, chronic conditions, disabilities, social support, and attrition.

Ergebnisse:

We found that, in general, depression increased with age. Women who became widowed had higher levels of depression compared to coupled women, but experienced lower increases in depression over time. Single women had similar levels of depression compared to coupled women and experienced lower increases over time. After adjusting for early-life and adulthood SES, losing a partner remained significantly associated with depression. Life-course SES was associated with levels of depression, yet interactions between family transitions and SES were not, with some exceptions: single women who reported some difficulties in their ability to make ends meet, or said it was fairly easy, experience higher increases of depression over time. Overall, results were similar for men. Interactions between family transitions and SES were again not significant, with a few exceptions for single men: those born in advantaged and the most advantaged households, and those with high education, had lower overall levels of depression.

Diskussion:

We interpret and discuss our findings through the lens of life-course and stress-resiliency perspectives and in light of changing family dynamics for this age group.

Literatur:

[1] Haas, S. (2008). Trajectories of functional health: The 'long arm' of childhood health and socioeconomic factors. Social Science & Medicine, 66(4), 849 – 861.

[2] Lee, G. R., & DeMaris, A. (2007). Widowhood, gender, and depression: A longitudinal analysis. Research on Aging, 29(1), 56 – 72.