Why is the sex gap in feelings of depression wider in high gender equity countries? The effect of children on the psychological well-being of men and women

This study uses data from 23 countries in the World Values Survey and the National Survey of Families and Households and finds that the sex gap in feelings of depression is wider in high gender equity societies even though overall levels of feelings of depression are lower. Using hierarchical logistic modeling, we find that the sex difference in feelings of depression is wider in high gender equity societies because children increase depression for women in high gender equity societies, while they reduce depression for women without paid employment in low gender equity societies. There is little difference in the effect of children on feelings of depression for men across societies.

► Data on 23 countries from the World Values Survey. ► Data on the US from the National Survey of Families and Households. ► Sex difference in feelings of depression wider in high gender equity societies. ► Children increase depression for women in high gender equity societies. ► Children reduce depression for non-employed women in low gender equity societies.