Living Alone and Feelings of Depression Among Adults Age 18 and Older.

Abstract

Objectives-This report presents national estimates of self-reported feelings of depression among adults by whether they lived alone or with others. Methods-Data from the 2021 National Health Interview Survey were used to describe differences in self-reported feelings of depression and living arrangement by selected sociodemographic characteristics and social and emotional support among adults age 18 and older. The measure of living arrangement was categorized as living alone or living with others. Results-Overall, 16.0% of adults lived alone in 2021. Reported feelings of depression were higher among adults living alone (6.4%) compared with adults living with others (4.1%), for both men and women, across most race and Hispanic-origin groups, and by family income. Adults who reported never or rarely receiving social and emotional support and living alone were almost twice as likely to report feelings of depression than those never or rarely receiving social and emotional support and living with others (19.6% compared with 11.6%, respectively). Yet no significant difference was seen in reported feelings of depression among those who reported sometimes, usually, or always receiving social and emotional support by whether they were living alone or living with others. Conclusion-Adults living alone had higher reported feelings of depression than adults living with others. Differences in feelings of depression by living arrangement were observed for most of the characteristics examined.