Gender differences in depressive symptoms: insights from a life span perspective on life stages and social networks

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Abstract
This paper examines possible explanations for gender differences in depressive symptomatology. Using a life span framework, two explanations of this difference are explored: women's higher likelihood of experiencing life strains and women's more social network relational orientation. Data are drawn from a regional stratified probability sample of 1,436 people ranging in age from 18 to 93. The findings indicate that the magnitude of gender differences in depressive symptoms does change over the life span, that life strains and social network relational orientation do influence the magnitude of gender differences and such influence varies with age. These findings suggest the importance of a life span perspective, as well as life strains and a social network relational orientation for understanding the frequently documented gender difference in depressive symptomatology.

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