title: Physical limitation and emotional well-being: gender and marital status variations.
abstract: Despite the proliferation of studies documenting the relationship between physical limitation and depressive symptoms in the United States, we currently do not know (1) whether physical impairment is associated with other dimensions of emotional well-being and (2) if these associations differ for men and women as well as married and nonmarried adults. We use panel data from two national samples to examine gender and marital status variations in the impact of physical limitation on four indicators of mental health. We find that physical limitation is associated with increases in depressive symptoms and negative feelings as well as decreases in positive emotions. Although the patterns are complex, we also find gender and marital status differences in these associations. Our results provide additional support for Aneshensel's (1992; Aneshensel, Rutter, and Lachenbruch 1991) argument about the highly contingent nature of stress reactivity and contribute to theory about both gender and marital status differences in the impact of stress on mental health.
authors: Indiana University, Department of Sociology, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA. caputoj@indiana.edu
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Caputo
authors: Robin W
authors: RW
authors: Simon
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012737:Sex Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology
keywords: emotions; gender; marriage; mental health; physical limitation; stress reactivity