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Educational inequalities in late-life depression across Europe: results from the generations and gender survey

Author

Listed:
  • Thomas Hansen

    (Norwegian Social Research (NOVA), Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences)

  • Britt Slagsvold

    (Norwegian Social Research (NOVA), Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences)

  • Marijke Veenstra

    (Norwegian Social Research (NOVA), Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences)

Abstract

This study explores country- and gender-stratified educational differences in depression among older adults from 10 European countries. We examine inequalities in both absolute (prevalence differences) and relative (odds ratios) terms and in bivariate and multivariate models. We use cross-sectional, nationally representative data from the generations and gender survey. The analysis comprises 27,331 Europeans aged 60–80. Depression is measured with a seven-item version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. Findings show considerable between-country heterogeneity in late-life depression. An East–West gradient is evident, with rates of depression up to three times higher in Eastern European than in Scandinavian countries. Rates are about twice as high among women than men in all countries. Findings reveal marked absolute educational gaps in depression in all countries, yet the gaps are larger in weaker welfare states. This pattern is less pronounced for the relative inequalities, especially for women. Some countries observe similar relative inequalities but vastly different absolute inequalities. We argue that the absolute differences are more important for social policy development and evaluation. Educational gradients in depression are strongly mediated by individual-level health and financial variables. Socioeconomic variation in late-life depression is greater in countries with poorer economic development and welfare programs.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Hansen & Britt Slagsvold & Marijke Veenstra, 2017. "Educational inequalities in late-life depression across Europe: results from the generations and gender survey," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 14(4), pages 407-418, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eujoag:v:14:y:2017:i:4:d:10.1007_s10433-017-0421-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10433-017-0421-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Thomas Hansen, 2012. "Parenthood and Happiness: a Review of Folk Theories Versus Empirical Evidence," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 108(1), pages 29-64, August.
    2. Van de Velde, Sarah & Bracke, Piet & Levecque, Katia, 2010. "Gender differences in depression in 23 European countries. Cross-national variation in the gender gap in depression," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(2), pages 305-313, July.
    3. George B. Ploubidis & Emily Grundy, 2009. "Later-Life Mental Health in Europe: A Country-Level Comparison," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 64(5), pages 666-676.
    4. Mackenbach, Johan P. & Kunst, Anton E., 1997. "Measuring the magnitude of socio-economic inequalities in health: An overview of available measures illustrated with two examples from Europe," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 44(6), pages 757-771, March.
    5. Andres Vikat & Zsolt Spéder & Gijs Beets & Francesco Billari & Christoph Bühler & Aline Désesquelles & Tineke Fokkema & Jan M. Hoem & Alphonse MacDonald & Gerda Neyer & Ariane Pailhé & Antonella Pinne, 2007. "Generations and Gender Survey (GGS)," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 17(14), pages 389-440.
    6. repec:dau:papers:123456789/10510 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. Ottar Hellevik, 2009. "Linear versus logistic regression when the dependent variable is a dichotomy," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 43(1), pages 59-74, January.
    8. Dahl, Espen & van der Wel, Kjetil A., 2013. "Educational inequalities in health in European welfare states: A social expenditure approach," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 60-69.
    9. Carlson, Per, 1998. "Self-perceived health in East and West Europe: another European health divide," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 46(10), pages 1355-1366, March.
    10. Pieter Dudal & Piet Bracke, 2016. "Absolute and relative educational inequalities in depression in Europe," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 61(7), pages 787-795, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Octavio Nicolas Bramajo, 2022. "An Age-Period-Cohort Approach to Analyse Late-Life Depression Prevalence in Six European Countries, 2004–2016," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 38(2), pages 223-245, May.
    2. Patricia Gómez-Costilla & Carmen García-Prieto & Noelia Somarriba-Arechavala, 2022. "Aging and Gender Health Gap: A Multilevel Analysis for 17 European Countries," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 160(2), pages 1051-1069, April.

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