Living alone and 12-month major depressive episode in men and women from 2005 to 2021

Abstract

Objective

The objective of the present study is to determine whether living alone is associated with major depression among men and women after adjusting for sociodemographics known to be associated with depression.

Methods

Data from the 2005, 2010, 2017, and 2021 nationally representative cross-sectional French Health Barometer surveys were pooled covering n = 71,168 adults ages 18 to 75. Logistic regressions were performed to identify associations between 12-month major depressive episode and living alone overall, and stratified by sex.

Results

An increasing portion of adults 18 to 75 lives alone in France: 11.2 % in 2005, 16.7 % in 2010, 17.4 % in 2017, and 19.0 % in 2021. Among men, in our study, those living alone represented 10.3 % in 2005 to 20.0 % in 2021, among women, 12.1 % in 2005 and 18.0 % in 2021. Men are more likely than women to live alone before age 55, the reverse is true thereafter. In parallel, the prevalence of depression has increased from 8.0 % in 2005 to 13.3 % in 2021. In multivariable models adjusting for age, sex, education, occupation, income level, urbanicity and study wave, living alone was associated with higher odds of depression (AOR=1.50, 95 %CI=1.41–1.60). No significant interactions were found for living alone x sex, while living alone was significantly associated with depression only among those 25 or older.

Limitations

Cross-sectional surveys.

Conclusion

Living alone is becoming more frequent and is a strongly associated with major depression. This finding should raise attention to groups of men and women at increased risk of mental health problems.