Gender, Couples’ Fertility Intentions, and Parents’ Depressive Symptoms

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 334-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Bart Stykes
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Transition To Parenthood ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Comprehensive Understanding ◽  
Mothers And Fathers ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Important Addition ◽  
And Gender

Unintended childbearing is associated with poorer parental well-being, but most scholarship in this area takes an individual-level approach to unintended childbearing. Drawing on couple data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study–Birth Cohort (ECLS-B), I treat unintended childbearing as a couple-level construct to provide a more comprehensive understanding of how individuals’ intentions, partners’ intentions, and gender are linked with psychological distress in the transition to parenthood. I make two chief contributions to prior research. First, the inclusion of fathers’ perspectives provides an important addition to research, which primarily focuses on mothers’ unintended childbearing. Second, I assess gender differences in the association between couples’ intentions and health. For mothers, one’s own intentions appeared most closely tied to distress regardless of the father’s intentions, whereas fathers reported more depressive symptoms if either parent did not intend the birth. Formal post-estimation tests of differences in the magnitude of coefficients for mothers and fathers suggest few gender differences exist in the association between couples’ intentions and psychological distress. For mothers and fathers alike, belonging to a couple where neither parent intended the birth was consistently associated with the highest levels of distress. Implications for policy and research are discussed in relation to findings.

The Dynamics of Eudaimonic Well-Being in the Transition to Parenthood: Differences Between Fathers and Mothers

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (9) ◽  
pp. 2572-2589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Brandel ◽  
Erika Melchiorri ◽  
Chiara Ruini
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Postnatal Depression ◽  
Transition To Parenthood ◽  
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Study Hypothesis

Little is known about changes in existential dimensions of well-being (i.e., eudaimonic well-being) when becoming a parent, particularly in men. This study examined eudaimonic well-being during the transition to parenthood, considering depressive symptoms and gender differences. Fifty pregnant couples ( n = 50 fathers-to-be; n = 50 mothers-to-be; age range 24-53 years) enrolled in maternity units during pregnancy ordinary check-ups, participated in the study. Ratings of eudaimonic well-being (Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scales) and depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) were collected prenatally and postnatally. In line with the study hypothesis, the results showed that having a child increased well-being in both parents. Surprisingly, well-being in fathers improved more than in mothers. Gender differences accounted for 4.6% of the variance in postnatal eudaimonic well-being, while prenatal levels of eudaimonic well-being accounted for 70%. Becoming a parent has important implications for eudaimonic well-being especially in fathers. Clinical and sociological implications of the findings are discussed.

scholarly journals Exploring Age and Gender Differences in Narcissism and Perfectionism and Their Mental-Health Correlates

2021 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-36
Author(s):  
Éva Kállay ◽  
Alexandra Rebeca Mihoc
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Age And Gender ◽  
Age And Gender Differences ◽  
Environmental Mastery ◽  
And Gender

"The changes occurring in modern society can significantly influence individuals’ well-being, mental health and even personality traits such as narcissism and perfectionism. Since studies investigating age and gender differences in narcissism and perfectionism have produced mixed results, and the number of studies conducted in Romanian population is scarce, the main aims of this study were to investigate possible age and gender differences in narcissism, perfectionism and several mental-health indicators in a sample of healthy participants, as well as specific association patterns between these variables within each group of participants. Our sample included 465 millennials and 149 participants over 35 years of age. The results indicate that millennials reported significantly lower levels of narcissism and self-oriented perfectionism than the older generations, higher levels of depressive symptoms and lower levels of autonomy, environmental mastery, purpose in life, and self-acceptance. Female millennials reported lower levels of narcissistic traits and higher levels of socially-prescribed perfectionism, depressive symptoms, personal growth, and positive relations with others than male participants. Older females indicated significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms and loneliness than male participants. Regarding association patterns, in the group of millennial women narcissism was positively correlated with self-oriented, socially-prescribed perfectionism and subjective well-being, and negatively with loneliness, environmental mastery and purpose in life. In millennial males, we found significant positive correlations only between narcissism and subjective well-being and environmental mastery. Our findings may have important implications for the literature regarding millennials and can contribute to the interventions and prevention programs designed to improve their well-being. Keywords: millennials, narcissism, perfectionism, mental health indicators, age and gender differences "

Relationships between negative exchanges and depressive symptoms in older couples: The moderating roles of care and gender

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 843-864 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minyoung Kwak ◽  
Berit Ingersoll-Dayton
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Moderating Effects ◽  
Older Couples ◽  
Care Recipients ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Gender

Marital relationships have a significant impact on older adults’ well-being. However, when contending with spousal illness or disability, negative exchanges may be particularly detrimental. This study examines the extent to which negative spousal exchanges have more impact on caregiving versus non-caregiving couples. Using dyadic analyses, this investigation compares three different groups consisting of (a) couples who did not provide or receive care, (b) couples in which husbands received care from their wives, and (c) couples in which wives received care from their husbands. We tested for gender differences in the effect of negative exchanges on depressive symptoms among caregivers and care recipients. Based on the 2012 and 2014 Health and Retirement Study, the sample consisted of 3,530 couples in which at least one of the spouses was aged 51 or over. Structural equation modeling was used to test the moderating effects of care and gender. Sociodemographic characteristics were included as control variables. Results indicated that there were significant differences in the magnitude of the path between negative exchanges and depressive symptoms across the subgroups. Among husbands, there was a stronger relationship between negative exchanges and depressive symptoms for care-receiving husbands than for caregiving husbands or husbands in non-caregiving relationships. Among wives, however, there was no significant difference in the path from negative exchanges with spouses to depressive symptoms across care status. We also found gender differences in the effect of negative exchanges on depressive symptoms among caregivers, but not among care recipients. Findings suggest that care status and gender of caregivers and care recipients have significant effects on the association between negative interactions within couples and mental health outcomes.

Age and Gender Differences in Relationship and Psychological Adjustment to Parenthood in Couples Conceiving Through In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)

2010 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peggy Bracks-Zalloua ◽  
Frances Gibson ◽  
Catherine McMahon
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Psychological Adjustment ◽  
Transition To Parenthood ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Fertility Treatment ◽  
In Vitro Fertilisation ◽  
Mothers And Fathers ◽  
And Gender

AbstractFifteen per cent of Australian couples now experience fertility problems and many turn to assisted reproductive technology such as in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) to conceive their child. This study investigated gender differences in relationship satisfaction during the transition to parenthood, and the effects of gender and age on relationship and psychological adjustment at six–nine months postpartum, in a sample of IVF conceiving couples initially recruited from a private fertility treatment clinic in Sydney. The results revealed different patterns of adjustment for mothers and fathers, whereby mothers showed a significant decline in relationship satisfaction from pregnancy to early parenthood while fathers did not. However, fathers exhibited more consistent relationship concern than mothers in both pregnancy and parenthood, and also reported greater parenting stress related to interaction with their child. There were negligible differences between older and younger parents, suggesting comparable adjustment across age groups. While the outcomes of this research do not indicate problematic adjustment, for those professionals who might be working with families conceiving through IVF they do highlight some specific adjustment issues for mothers and fathers during the postpartum period.

Patterns of Psychological Distress and Well-Being among Adults in Relation to Gender during COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (04) ◽  
pp. 257-262
Author(s):  
Ameya Arora ◽  
Pankhuri Sharma ◽  
Nitin Kumar Verma
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Development Stages ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
And Gender

AbstractCoronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to the worsening of mental health of people in terms of increased psychological distress and decreased psychological well-being. The study was designed to understand the influence of COVID-19 pandemic on psychological distress and well-being. Present study also explored the variances in psychological distress and well-being in relation to development stages (young adulthood and adulthood), gender (males and females), people who had been infected by coronavirus and those not infected, and respondents whose immediate family members/relatives/friends/classmates had been infected by coronavirus and those not infected. An online survey was conducted in the midst of the pandemic. Responses of 250 respondents were gathered and analysed using the General Well-being Questionnaire developed by Veit and Ware in 1983. The results indicated that COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in determining psychological distress and well-being. Gender differences in psychological distress and well-being are present with males being high on psychological distress and females being high on psychological well-being. Adults were found to be high on psychological distress than young adults. It was also revealed that as a person (respondent himself/immediate family/friends/relatives) becomes infected and recovers, their psychological distress declines, and well-being increases, probably because of reduced fear of being infected again. Along with other demographic variables, developmental stages and gender differences also played a crucial role in psychological distress and well-being of adults.

scholarly journals Insomnia Associated with Tinnitus and Gender Differences

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 3209
Author(s):  
Kneginja Richter ◽  
Melanie Zimni ◽  
Iva Tomova ◽  
Lukas Retzer ◽  
Joachim Höfig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Psychosomatic Symptoms ◽  
Response To Stress ◽  
And Gender

Chronic tinnitus causes a decrease in well-being and can negatively affect sleep quality. It has further been indicated that there are clinically relevant gender differences, which may also have an impact on sleep quality. By conducting a retrospective and explorative data analysis for differences in patients with tinnitus and patients diagnosed with tinnitus and insomnia, hypothesized differences were explored in the summed test scores and on item-level of the validated psychometric instruments. A cross-sectional study was conducted collecting data from a sample of tinnitus patients (n = 76). Insomnia was diagnosed in 49 patients. Gender differences were found on aggregated test scores of the MADRS and BDI with men scoring higher than women, indicating higher depressive symptoms in men. Women stated to suffer more from headaches (p < 0.003), neck pain (p < 0.006) and nervousness as well as restlessness (p < 0.02). Women also reported an increase in tinnitus loudness in response to stress compared to men (p < 0.03). Male individuals with tinnitus and insomnia have higher depression scores and more clinically relevant depressive symptoms than women, who suffer more from psychosomatic symptoms. The results indicate a need for a targeted therapy of depressive symptoms in male patients and targeted treatment of psychosomatic symptoms, stress-related worsening of insomnia and tinnitus in women.

scholarly journals Depressive Symptoms and Well-being of Individuals with Obesity; Race and Gender Differences

2017 ◽  
Vol In Press (In Press) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shervin Assari ◽  
Amy E. Rothberg ◽  
Simon J. Evans ◽  
Heidi B. Iglay Reger ◽  
Charles F. Burant
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Race And Gender ◽  
And Gender

Changes in Family Roles and Subjective Well-Being among Japanese Adults

2021 ◽  
pp. 0192513X2199413
Author(s):  
Yuko Hara
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Transition To Parenthood ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Family Roles ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Japanese Adults ◽  
Effect Theory ◽  
And Gender

Research in Western countries has demonstrated that marriage is associated with improved well-being, and parenthood with decreased well-being, for both men and women. However, less is known about whether the associations are universal for both genders across countries. Using nine waves of panel data and fixed effects models, this study examines the relationship between changes in family roles and subjective well-being of men and women in the highly gendered social context of Japan. Well-being was assessed across two domains: self-rated health and mental health. The results broadly support the protective effect theory, which posits that marriage itself has a positive effect on well-being; however, no association was observed between becoming a wife and self-rated health. Contrary to what previous research predicts, only men’s self-rated health negatively responds to transition to parenthood. These findings highlight the importance of country context and gender differences in the significance of family obligations.

scholarly journals Procoagulant reactivity to laboratory acute mental stress in Africans and Caucasians, and its relation to depressive symptoms: The SABPA Study

2013 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 977-986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Hamer ◽  
Nico T. Malan ◽  
Kobus Scheepers ◽  
Muriel Meiring ◽  
Leonè Malan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Stress Response ◽  
Mental Stress ◽  
Stress Reactivity ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Peripheral Resistance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Questionnaire ◽  
D Dimer

SummaryThe risk of cardiovascular disease is dramatically increasing in Africans (black). The prothrombotic stress response contributes to atherothrombotic disease and is modulated by depressive symptoms. We examined coagulation reactivity to acute mental stress and its relation to psychological well-being in Africans relative to Caucasians (white). A total of 102 African and 165 Caucasian school teachers underwent the Stroop Color-Word Conflict test. Circulating levels of von Willebrand factor (VWF) antigen, fibrinogen, and D-dimer were measured before and after the Stroop. Cardiovascular reactivity measures were also obtained. All participants completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the General Health Questionnaire-28 for the assessment of depressive symptoms and total psychological distress, respectively. After controlling for covariates, resting levels of VWF, fibrinogen, and D-dimer were higher in Africans than in Caucasians (all p-values ≤0.006). Depressive symptoms and psychological distress were not significantly associated with resting coagulation measures. Stress reactivity in VWF (p<0.001) and fibrinogen (p=0.016), but not in D-dimer (p=0.27), were decreased in Africans relative to Caucasians with Africans showing greater reactivity of total peripheral resistance (p=0.017). Depressive symptoms, but not general psychological distress, were associated with greater VWF increase (p=0.029) and greater fibrinogen decrease (p=0.030) in Africans relative to Caucasians. In conclusion, Africans showed greater hypercoagulability at rest but diminished procoagulant reactivity to acute mental stress when compared with Caucasians. Ethnic differences in the vascular adrenergic stress response might partially explain this finding. Depressive symptoms were associated with exaggerated VWF reactivity in Africans relative to Caucasians. The clinical implications of these findings for Africans need further study.

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