The Relationship Between Age Discrimination in the Workplace and Depressive Symptoms among Korean Older Adults: The Moderating Role of Gender

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between age discrimination in the workplace and depressive symptoms and the moderating effect of gender in this relationship. Data were drawn from the 2020 National Survey of Older Koreans. We analyzed a total of 3,752 adults who were employed. Hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to test an interaction between age discrimination in the workplace and gender on depressive symptoms. A significant main effect of age discrimination was found. Older adults who experienc ed age discrimination in the workplace had higher depressive symptoms than their counterparts. Gender did not show a significant main effect on depressive symptoms. An interaction effect of age discrimination and gender was significant. Both women and men who experienced age discrimination in the workplace reported higher depressive symptoms than their counterparts. The relationship between age discrimination and depressive symptoms was stronger for women. Findings suggest the need to consider heterogeneity and diversity within older adults in terms of the relationship between age discrimination and psychological health.