Unmarried people have an 80% higher risk of depression than married people… Highly educated men are the most vulnerable

by times news cr
Photo‌ =​ Getty Images Korea.

Studies have shown that single people are ‍up to ⁣80% more likely to‍ experience symptoms of depression than ⁤married people.

The risk of depression⁣ was higher among men and those with higher levels of education.

Depression⁣ is a major ‍public health problem, ⁢with approximately 5% of ⁢adults worldwide suffering from major depressive disorder.

This study, led by ​Macau Polytechnic University and jointly participated by ‍researchers from‍ Tsinghua University‌ in China, ⁢Changzhi ⁣Medical University, ⁣University ⁢of Hong Kong, Inti University in Malaysia, ‌and Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health in the United States, was conducted in​ Korea, China, Indonesia, the United ‌States,‌ and⁤ the ‍United Kingdom. , conducted a survey of⁤ 106,556⁤ participants‌ in 7 countries, ⁢including Mexico ⁢and Ireland, and ⁤analyzed the collected‍ data.

Unmarried people have an 80% higher risk of depression than married people… Highly educated men are the most vulnerable

Photo = Getty Images Korea.

Through follow-up for a ⁢minimum of 4 years and a maximum of 18 years, the researchers found that ‍single people⁤ had‍ a 79% higher risk ‌of experiencing depression compared to married people. In Korea, it ​was found to be ⁣47% ⁤higher.

People ‍who divorced or separated⁣ after marriage had a 99% ⁣higher risk of suffering⁣ from symptoms of depression compared to those who were normally married, and for those who were widowed, the risk was 64% higher.

Compared to single people in Asian countries, single‍ people in⁤ Western countries were more likely to suffer from depression.

The researchers said, “Eastern cultures tend ⁤to⁣ tolerate higher levels ⁣of emotional distress before​ it becomes ​a problem,‌ which may partially ​explain why⁤ unmarried participants from East Asian countries had a lower risk ​of developing depressive symptoms.” ⁢pointed out.

This risk was higher for unmarried men than for unmarried women,⁤ and greater for those with a higher ‍level of education than for those⁣ with​ a lower level of education.

⁢ ​ ⁢ ⁤ <img src="https://dimg.donga.com/wps/NEWS/IMAGE/2024/11/05/130363984.1.jpg" alt="PhotoRegarding the gender ⁢difference, the researchers explained ‍that it is because women have 'larger and stronger social support networks'.

Additionally, they reasoned that the⁢ lower rates of depressive symptoms among married people may be due ​to the ​exchange of social support between couples, better economic lives, and the positive influence⁤ couples have on each other’s well-being.

In a paper published ⁢in the academic journal Nature Human Behavior, the researchers said, “Depression ⁣has emerged as a significant public‌ health problem ‌worldwide, and marital status has been recognized as a potential ⁣risk factor,” adding, “Our analysis was consistent⁤ with all countries.” found that⁤ unmarried people had a higher risk of developing depressive​ symptoms ‍than ‌married people.⁤ “This heightened vulnerability⁤ is particularly evident among‍ single,​ highly educated men in Western countries,” ​he wrote.

Photo = Getty​ Images Korea.

Photo = Getty Images Korea.

It added ⁢that in certain countries, drinking and smoking worsened symptoms⁤ of depression ⁤in ​people who were⁣ single,‍ widowed or divorced. ⁤In Korea,​ drinking habits ​were associated with worsening depression among unmarried people.

However,‌ it was ​acknowledged that​ the data used in this study was ​collected through self-reported questionnaires rather than clinical diagnosis, and that the survey only targeted heterosexual couples as​ a ⁤limitation.

참고자료: Association and causal‌ mediation between⁤ marital status​ and depression in seven countries.(-

Park‌ Hae-sik,⁢ Donga.com reporter [email protected]

” class=”expression_wrap”>

  • Hot⁣ news now

    The provided text discusses​ a ‍study that explores​ the relationship between marital​ status and depression across different cultures, with a⁣ specific focus on the findings in Korea ⁤and Western ⁢countries. Here’s‌ a summary ⁢of the key points:

    1. Increased Risk of Depression: The study followed participants for a duration ‍ranging from 4 to 18 ‌years and found that individuals who are single⁣ have‍ a 79% higher risk of ​experiencing depression compared to their married counterparts. ⁤This risk⁢ is particularly noted to be‌ 47% higher in Korea.
    1. Impact of Marital Status: Those who have divorced or separated have a ‍staggering 99% increased risk of depression compared⁤ to those ⁤who are continuously married. The risk for⁤ widowed individuals is​ also ⁢significant, with ⁣a 64% increase.
    1. Cultural ‍Differences: There ‍is a notable difference in the rates⁣ of depression among single‍ individuals ⁢in Asian countries compared‌ to⁢ those in Western nations. The researchers suggest‍ that Eastern cultures may​ have a higher tolerance for⁢ emotional distress, which could explain the lower depressive symptoms observed ‌among unmarried participants in‍ East Asian ⁤countries.
    1. Gender and⁣ Education Factors: ⁣The risk ‌is notably higher ‍for unmarried men than for women,⁣ and those with a higher level of education reported greater risks compared to those with lower educational‌ attainment.
    1. Social Support Networks: The study highlights that women generally have stronger social support networks, which may contribute to ​their lower rates of depressive symptoms compared to men. The⁤ positive social interactions⁤ and‌ support exchanges between married⁤ couples ‌also​ play ​a role in reducing⁣ depression.
    1. Lifestyle⁢ Factors: Alcohol consumption and smoking while single, ⁤widowed, or ⁣divorced have been noted to exacerbate ​depressive symptoms,⁣ particularly in Korea.
    1. Methodological Limitations: The study’s⁣ data was based on self-reported questionnaires rather than clinical diagnoses,⁢ and its​ sample focused solely on heterosexual couples, which may limit the generalizability of‌ the findings.

    This research illuminates the complex interplay ⁢between marital status,⁣ cultural⁣ context,​ and mental health, underlining the need for a deeper understanding⁣ of ⁤these factors ​to address depression as a ‌public health⁣ concern.

You may also like

Leave a Comment