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The Gender Life Satisfaction/Depression Paradox

Author

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  • Leonardo Becchetti

    (University of Rome Tor Vergata)

  • Gianluigi Conzo

    (University of Rome Tor Vergata)

Abstract

According to the gender life satisfaction/depression paradox women are significantly more likely to report higher levels of life satisfaction than men after controlling for all relevant socio-demographic factors, but also significantly more likely to declare they are depressed. We find that the paradox holds in the cross-country sample of the European Social Survey and is stable across age, education, self-assessed health, macroregion and survey round splits. We find support for the affect intensity rationale showing that women are relatively more affected in their satisfaction about life by the good or bad events or achievements occurring during their existence and less resilient (less likely to revert to their standard levels of happiness after a shock). We as well discuss biological, genetic, cultural, personality rationales advocated in the literature that can explain our findings.

Suggested Citation

  • Leonardo Becchetti & Gianluigi Conzo, 2022. "The Gender Life Satisfaction/Depression Paradox," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 160(1), pages 35-113, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:160:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1007_s11205-021-02740-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-021-02740-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Leonardo Becchetti & Gianluigi Conzo, 2021. "Avoiding a “despair death crisis” in Europe: the drivers of human (un)sustainability," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 68(4), pages 485-526, December.
    2. David Bartram, 2022. "The ‘Gender Life-Satisfaction/Depression Paradox’ Is an Artefact of Inappropriate Control Variables," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 164(3), pages 1061-1072, December.
    3. Friedman-Sokuler, Naomi & Senik, Claudia, 2023. "Time-Use and Subjective Well-Being: Is Diversity Really the Spice of Life?," IZA Discussion Papers 16090, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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