WOMEN, MARITAL-STATUS, AND SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION IN A MIDLIFE NATIONAL SAMPLE

Previous studies of the correlates of depression among women have not generally been based on adequate midlife samples or precision in the s pecification of marital status categories. The present analysis is des igned to address these deficiencies and is based on data from the Heal th and Retirement Survey-Wave I (i.e., respondents 51 to 61 years old) . Results indicate that married women are less likely to report sympto ms of depression than their unmarried counterparts. The mental health benefits of marriage are greater for men than for women. Moreover, oth er variables, such as marital satisfaction, self-rated health, and emp loyment status are more powerful predictors of emotional well-being in midlife than marital status per se. The quality of marriage affects d epressive symptoms more strongly for women than men.