Macro-level gender equality and depression in men and women in Europe

Sarah Van de Velde*, Tim Huijts, Piet Bracke, Clare Bambra

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

A recurrent finding in international literature is a greater prevalence of depression in women than in men. While explanations for this gender gap have been studied extensively at the individual level, few researchers have studied macro-level determinants of depression in men and women. In the current study we aim to examine the micro–macro linkage of the relationship between gender equality and depression by gender in europe, using data from the european social survey, 2006–2007 (n = 39,891). Using a multilevel framework we find that a high degree of macro-level gender equality is related to lower levels of depression in both women and men. It is also related to a smaller gender difference in depression, but only for certain social subgroups and only for specific dimensions of gender equality.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)682-698
Number of pages17
JournalSociology of Health & Illness
Volume35
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • gender
  • depression
  • Europe
  • macro-level gender equality
  • CROSS-NATIONAL VARIATION
  • WELFARE-STATE REGIMES
  • MULTILEVEL ANALYSIS
  • LIFE-COURSE
  • HEALTH
  • WORK
  • STRATIFICATION
  • UNEMPLOYMENT
  • PARENTHOOD
  • INEQUALITY

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