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

ABSTRACT

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.

KEYWORDS:

• Informal caregiving
• adult caregiving
• depression
• division of labor
• housework

Acknowledgments

Support for this study was provided by the University of Utah University Research Council Faculty Research & Creative Grant Program. The collection of data used in this study was partly supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under grant number R01 HD069609 and R01 AG040213, and the National Science Foundation (NSF) under award numbers SES 1157698 and 1623684. This study was not directly supported by the NIH or NSF.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the College of Social and Behavioral Science, University of Utah [Research Council Faculty Research & Creative Grant Program].