Gender Differences in Depression among Japanese Elderly: the Impact of Informal Social Support and Residency Status on Elderly Well-Being

Andrew D. Tiedt, Fordham University

This research assesses the underlying causes of gender differences in depression among the Japanese elderly. Data from the Nihon University Japanese Longitudinal Study of Aging were examined with a specific focus on the roles played by health, household residency patterns and informal social support from family, friends and community organizations. On the bivariate level elderly women reported higher levels of depression than men. The results of multivariate analyses provided evidence that poor health had a greater impact on mental well-being among elderly men than among their female counterparts.