Change in reciprocity as a predictor of depressive symptoms: A prospective cohort study of Finnish women and men

Ari Väänänen, Abraham P. Buunk, Mika Kivimäki, Jussi Vahtera and Markku Koskenvuo

Social Science & Medicine, 2008, vol. 67, issue 11, 1907-1916

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to examine gender differences in the association between changes in the balance of give and take in close relationships and depressive symptoms. Data from a 5-year prospective cohort study in Finland (HeSSup Study) (NÂ =Â 18,445) were analyzed. After adjustment for demographic characteristics, recent negative life events, baseline depressive symptoms, hostility, and the supportiveness of social network, a shift of balance toward support receiving was a significant risk factor for future depressive symptoms among women. In contrast, men whose balance of give and take had moved toward support giving had a higher risk of future depressive symptoms than other men. When the analyses were replicated in a sub-cohort of initially non-depressed participants who lived in reciprocal relationships and had no recent life events, the results became even more pronounced among women, although not among men. We conclude that, for women, a shift in their close relationships toward support receiving may lead to increased risk of depressive symptoms, whereas for men a shift toward giving may have a parallel though less evident impact.

Keywords: Reciprocity; Social; support; Depression; Mental; health; Gender; Finland (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008
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