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  3. Do gender differences in housework performance and informal adult caregiving explain the gender gap in depressive symptoms of older adults?

Do gender differences in housework performance and informal adult caregiving explain the gender gap in depressive symptoms of older adults?

We assess whether gender differences in domestic time-use, including informal adult caregiving and housework, explain the gender gap in depression among older adults. Using data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, we model depressive symptoms as a function of informal adult caregiving and housework. The analytic sample includes 539 men and 782 women. Findings suggest informal adult caregiving is associated with increased depressive symptoms for women (p < .05) and men (p < .05). Time spent on housework is associated with decreased depressive symptoms for women and female caregivers (p < .01). Women may experience elevated depressive symptoms relative to men despite their domestic time-use.

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Key Information

Type of Reference
Jour
Type of Work
Journal article
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
ISBN/ISSN
1540-7322
Publication Year
2019
Journal Titles
Journal Of Women & Aging
Volume Number
Online early view