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The Gender Life Satisfaction/Depression Paradox.

Leonardo Becchetti1, Gianluigi Conzo1

  • 1Department of Economics and Finance, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Columbia 2, 00133 Rome, Italy.

Social Indicators Research
|September 27, 2021
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Women report higher life satisfaction but also more depression, a paradox confirmed across European countries. This suggests women experience emotions more intensely, impacting their resilience to life events.

Keywords:
Gender life satisfaction/depression paradoxSubjective wellbeing

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Area of Science:

  • Social Psychology
  • Gender Studies
  • Mental Health Research

Background:

  • The gender life satisfaction/depression paradox highlights women's higher reported life satisfaction despite greater likelihood of depression.
  • Existing literature suggests various biological, genetic, cultural, and personality factors may explain this phenomenon.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the gender life satisfaction/depression paradox within a cross-country European context.
  • To test the affect intensity rationale as a potential explanation for the observed paradox.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from the European Social Survey, a large cross-country study.
  • Statistical examination of the paradox across different demographic splits (age, education, health, region, survey round).

Main Results:

  • The gender life satisfaction/depression paradox was confirmed in the European Social Survey sample and remained stable across demographic subgroups.
  • Evidence supports the affect intensity rationale: women are more affected by life events and less resilient to emotional shocks.

Conclusions:

  • Women's heightened emotional reactivity and reduced resilience to life events contribute to the gender life satisfaction/depression paradox.
  • Further research into biological, genetic, cultural, and personality factors is warranted to fully understand these gender differences in well-being.