Employment Status and Depressive Symptoms in Koreans: Results From a Baseline Survey of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging

Objectives. We investigated the association between employment status and depressive symptoms among Korean individuals according to age and gender. Methods. Data were obtained from a subsample of 3,907 men and 4,914 women aged 45 years and older without any severe disabilities who participated in the 2006 cross-sectional baseline Survey of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA). We compared depressive symptoms as determined by the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression 10-item scale, adjusting for socioeconomic status, physical and cognitive function, and chronic disease. Using multiple regression analysis, we determined both age- and gender-specific differences associated with depressive symptoms and employment status. Results. Employment was associated with fewer depressive symptoms among middle-aged men but not among older men. Unemployment was associated with more depressive symptoms among middle-aged women but not among older women. Conclusion. Work role did not provide any benefit for depressive symptoms among older men and women. We discuss the increased depressive symptoms among older employed men and the differential association of employment status with age and gender in the context of Korean social structure.