title: Effects of timing and level of degree attained on depressive symptoms and self-rated health at midlife.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined whether attaining a higher educational degree after 25 years of age was associated with fewer depressive symptoms and better self-rated health at midlife than was not attaining a higher educational degree.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed data from National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, restricting our sample to respondents who had not attained a bachelor's degree by 25 years of age (n = 7179). We stratified all regression models by highest degree attained by 25 years of age.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among respondents with no degree, a high school diploma, or a post-high school certificate at 25 years of age, attaining at least a bachelor's degree by midlife was associated with fewer depressive symptoms and better self-rated health at midlife compared with respondents who did not attain a higher degree by midlife. Those with an associate's degree at 25 years of age who later attained a bachelor's degree or higher reported better health at midlife.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Attaining at least a bachelor's degree after 25 years of age is associated with better midlife health. Other specifications of educational timing and its health effects across the life course should be studied.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. kwalsema@sc.edu
authors.forename: Katrina M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Walsemann
authors.forename: Bethany A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Hummer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012650:Self Disclosure; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult