Physical Health and Depression: A Dyadic Study of Chronic Health Conditions and Depressive Symptomatology in Older Adult Couples

Abstract

This study examined the associations among chronic health conditions, sociodemographic factors, and depressive symptomatology in older married couples. Data from the 2004 wave of the Health and Retirement Study (n = 2,184 couples) were analyzed. Results indicated a reciprocal relationship in depressive symptoms between spouses. Additionally, post hoc analyses indicated that husbands' stroke and high blood pressure were related to increased depressive symptomatology among wives. Beyond the reciprocal relationship, husbands were unaffected by wives' health. These results suggest sex differences underlying psychological distress in the context of physical health among older adults and that older women with husbands who have high levels of depressive symptomatology, high blood pressure, or a history of stroke may be at particular risk of experiencing depressive symptoms.

The Impact of Spouse's Health and Well-Being on Own Well-Being: A Dyadic Study of Older Married Couples

“…Similarly, compared to men, women are more likely to experience decreased self-esteem and a negative impact of caring for their ill partner (Nijboer et al, 2000). Also, despite finding a reciprocal relationship between spouses' depressive symptoms, Ayotte et al (2010) found that women's depressive symptoms were affected by their husbands' health but men were not impacted by their wives' health.…”

“…For example, Ayotte, Yang, and Jones (2010) and Pruchno, Wilson-Genderson, and Cartwright (2009) found reciprocal relationships between older spouses' depressive symptomology. After accounting for various demographic, health, and social predictors of well-being, Goodman and Shippy (2002) found the same reciprocal relationship-when one older marital partner is depressed, the other partner also tends to be depressed.…”

Mental and Physical Health Consequences of Spousal Health Shocks Among Older Adults

“…Within the context of an intimate relationship, studies find evidence that partners' well-being is correlated (Ayotte, Yang, & Jones, 2010;Peek, Stimpson, Townsend, & Markides, 2006;Townsend, Miller, & Guo, 2001). Studies have found significant spousal concordance in behaviors such as smoking, alcohol intake, weight gain, and even cardiovascular risk (Castelnuovo, Quacquaruccio, Donati, de Gaetano, & Iacoviello, 2008;Christakis & Fowler, 2008;Graham & Braun, 1999;Sobal, Rauschenbach, & Frongillo, 2003).…”

“…One study found that wives were more likely to report higher levels of depressive symptoms if their husband was diagnosed with a chronic condition (Ayotte et al, 2010). These studies suggest the need for longitudinal analyses to examine the influence of SHSs on the mental and physical health trajectories of their partners.…”

“…While the illness and death of a partner have been shown to influence the health of both men and women (Zivin & Christakis, 2007), many studies find evidence that women's well-being is more likely to be impacted by their husband's health (Ayotte et al, 2010;Hagedoorn et al, 2001), and that women experience more caregiving stressors (Pinquart & Sörensen, 2006). For example, one study found that wives experienced a higher risk of depressive symptoms when their husbands were diagnosed with chronic conditions, high blood pressure or a stroke.…”