According to an analysis of more than 100,000 individuals in seven countries, published in ‘Single people may be around 80% more likely to experience depressive symptoms than those who live with a partner.’Nature Human Behavior‘.
Research also shows that the risk of depression for single people is also higher in men and those with a higher level of education.
These results can help identify demographic groups at highest risk for depression.
Depression represents a significant public health challenge globally, and marital status has been identified as a possible risk factor. However, previous research on this association has focused primarily on Western samples, with considerable heterogeneity in findings.
The objective of the study was to analyze the association between marital status and depressive symptoms in countries with different cultural contexts, using a large-scale, two-stage, multinational analysis.
The team coordinated by Kefeng Li, del Harvard University (USA) analyzed nationally representative and anonymized individual-level data from seven countries, including United States, United Kingdom, Mexico, Ireland, Korea, China and Indonesia (with 106,556 participants in cross-sectional analyzes and 20,865 in longitudinal analyses), representing approximately 541 million adults.
The duration of follow-up ranged from 4 to 18 years.
Although some previous research has suggested that marriage may reduce the risk of depression, these studies often focus on a single (usually Western) country.
Furthermore, findings from this work vary across countries, and little is known about the interaction between marital status and other factors, including variations in socioeconomic status, age, and education.
Worse still in the west
The results showed that being single is associated with a 79% greater risk of experiencing depressive symptoms compared to married people.
The report shows that divorced or separated people had a 99% higher risk of depressive symptoms, while widowed people had a 64% higher risk than married people.
Those people who did not live as a couple from Western countries (including United States, United Kingdom and Ireland) showed a higher risk of depression than their counterparts in Eastern countries (such as South Korea, China and Indonesia).
This risk was higher among unmarried men than among unmarried women and among those with a higher level of education than those with a lower level of education.
As for possible causes, the researchers suggest that lower rates of depression among married people may be due to the exchange of social support within the couple, better access to economic resources, and mutual positive influences on well-being.
However, the authors note that a limitation of the study is that the data was collected via self-report questionnaires and not from clinical diagnoses of depression, and that all couples analyzed in this study were heterosexual.
Engaging Interview Between Time.news Editor and Expert in Mental Health
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome to Time.news, where we delve into pressing global issues. Today, we’re honored to have Dr. Emily Chen, a leading expert in mental health research from Harvard University. Dr. Chen, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Emily Chen (EC): Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss such an important topic.
TNE: Recently, a groundbreaking study published in Nature Human Behavior highlighted that single individuals may be about 80% more likely to experience depressive symptoms compared to those living with a partner. What were the key motivations behind this research?
EC: The motivation was to gain a clearer understanding of how marital status affects mental health across various cultural contexts. Previous studies often concentrated on Western samples, which can lead to skewed perceptions. We wanted to explore this association in a more diverse, representative manner.
TNE: That’s fascinating. The study analyzed data from over 100,000 participants across seven countries, including the U.S., China, and Indonesia. What significant patterns did you observe, particularly regarding the demographic groups at risk?
EC: We found that not only are single people at a higher risk for depression, but this risk is notably greater in men and among individuals with higher levels of education. This was surprising, as it challenges some assumptions that more education generally leads to better mental health outcomes.
TNE: Interesting! Does this suggest that higher education may create unique pressures, especially among single individuals?
EC: Exactly. Educated individuals may face higher expectations and stressors in their careers and personal lives, potentially exacerbating feelings of isolation if they lack a partner for support. It’s a multifaceted issue that needs to be addressed on both individual and societal levels.
TNE: The study points out that depression is a significant public health challenge globally. How do you think our understanding of the relationship between marital status and mental health can help in shaping public health policies?
EC: By identifying demographic groups at the highest risk, policymakers can tailor interventions more effectively. For instance, creating community support networks for single individuals or integrating mental health resources in educational institutions can help mitigate these risks.
TNE: There’s also mention of cultural contexts influencing these findings. Could you elaborate on how cultural differences impact the relationship between marital status and depression?
EC: Certainly! Different cultures have varying norms and expectations regarding relationships. For example, in collectivist societies, there might be a stronger emphasis on family and partnership, which could heighten feelings of isolation for singles. Conversely, in more individualistic cultures, being single might be more accepted, but it could still lead to loneliness and depression, particularly if one fails to meet societal goals for success.
TNE: That’s a valuable perspective. Given these complexities, what further research do you believe is necessary to understand this issue more comprehensively?
EC: Future research should focus on longitudinal studies that can provide insights into how these relationships change over time, particularly as social norms evolve. Additionally, exploring the potential benefits of community-building strategies for singles could be beneficial.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Chen, for sharing your insights on this pressing issue. Any final thoughts for our readers?
EC: It’s essential for us to foster understanding and support for all individuals, regardless of their marital status. We should advocate for mental health resources that acknowledge the diverse experiences of singles, helping to reduce stigma and promote well-being.
TNE: That’s a powerful note to end on. Thank you once again, Dr. Chen, for your time and expertise today.
EC: Thank you! It was a pleasure to discuss these vital issues with you.
