Does the Relationship between Single-Person Household Status and Depression Vary Depending on Age?: The Role of Income, Social Relationships, and Family Relationships

Abstract

Previous studies have reported that single-person households tend to have higher levels of depression compared to multi-person households, and that this relationship may vary with age. This study has two main objectives. First, it aims to examine whether age moderates the relationship between single-person household status and depression among Korean adults. Second, if a moderating effect is identified, the study seeks to explain this effect through three factors: equivalized household income, satisfaction with social relationships, and satisfaction with family relationships. To achieve this, data from the 18th wave (2023) of the Korean Welfare Panel Study, a nationally representative survey, were analyzed. A multiple regression analysis was conducted using data from 14,047 adults. The main findings of the study are as follows. First, single-person households were found to have lower income levels and higher depression levels compared to multi-person households. Second, the depression gap tended to increase with age, particularly in older adults. This pattern can be explained by three mechanisms: (1) the influence of income on depression became stronger with age, and (2) satisfaction with family relationships and social relationships decreased more significantly with age among single-person households. The theoretical contribution of this study lies in identifying the heterogeneity of single-person households by age and elucidating the mechanisms through which disadvantages in depression increase with age. The policy contribution is that it highlights the need for social interventions to secure income and strengthen social relationships among elderly single-person households in order to reduce their depression levels.