Gender Differences in the Impact of Intergenerational Support on Depressive Symptoms among Older Adults in Korea.

Kyungwon Choi,Kwang-Sim Jang,Gyeong-Suk Jeon

doi:10.3390/ijerph17124380

Abstract

Background: This study examined the relationship between intergenerational support patterns and depressive symptoms among older men and women in Korea. Methods: A nationally representative survey of non-institutionalized, community-dwelling older adults in Korea was used. A total of 7531 older adults (3592 men and 3939 women) was included in the analysis. Results: We observed gender differences in the impact of financial support exchanges on depressive symptoms. A lack of mutual financial support significantly increased the risk of depressive symptoms by 3.83 times (95% CI 2.34–6.24) in men and 1.73 times (95% CI 1.06–2.83) in women. Men who received financial support were more likely to experience depressive symptoms (OR (Odds Ratio), 1.81, 95% CI 1.36–2.42), whereas women who provided financial support were more likely to experience depressive symptoms (OR 2.82, 95% CI 1.21–6.56). The lack of an exchange of emotional support was significantly associated with depressive symptoms in both men (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.17–1.90) and women (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.50–2.34). Conclusions: We discuss the evidence of gender differences in intergenerational support exchange patterns and their impact on depressive symptoms within the context of Korean cultures and suggest that future research should be conducted on gender differences in the impact of intergenerational support on mental health across diverse societies.

Highlights

The importance of intergenerational support for the psychological health of older adults is well-documented in the literature [1,2,3]
The lack of an exchange of emotional support was significantly associated with depressive symptoms in both men and women
We discuss the evidence of gender differences in intergenerational support exchange patterns and their impact on depressive symptoms within the context of Korean cultures and suggest that future research should be conducted on gender differences in the impact of intergenerational support on mental health across diverse societies

Summary

Introduction

The importance of intergenerational support for the psychological health of older adults is well-documented in the literature [1,2,3]. The impact of the exchange patterns of intergenerational support on psychological health in older adults is less clear. From an equity theory perspective, several researchers have emphasized the importance of reciprocal support [10,11] In these studies, older adults with balanced or reciprocal exchange patterns had better psychological outcomes compared to their counterparts with imbalanced patterns. Older adults with balanced or reciprocal exchange patterns had better psychological outcomes compared to their counterparts with imbalanced patterns These inconsistent findings indicate that further research is needed to determine the impact of intergenerational support patterns (providing, receiving or reciprocal) on psychological health. This study examined the relationship between intergenerational support patterns and depressive symptoms among older men and women in Korea. Men who received financial support were more likely to experience depressive symptoms (OR (Odds Ratio), 1.81, 95% CI

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion