THE RELATION BETWEEN WORK CHARACTERISTICS AND HEALTH AFTER WORK EXIT IN LOW AND HIGH SOCIOECONOMIC GROUPS. (11th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de Breij, S; Holman, D; Yogachandiran Qvist, J; Deeg, D J H
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 2(2018)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 389
• Page End: 389
• Publication Date: 2018-11-11
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.1451
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: This study examined whether the association between work characteristics and health remains after work exit and whether individual factors mediate this association. Longitudinal datasets from three countries were used: Netherlands (LASA), Denmark (DLSA) and England (ELSA). The association between pre-retirement work characteristics (physical demands, psychosocial demands, variation in activities and autonomy) and post-retirement self-rated health (SRH) was examined longitudinally, including individual factors (physical activity, smoking, alcohol use, BMI and depressive symptoms) as possible mediators. Work characteristics were neither associated with post-retirement health nor with individual factors. Among the individual factors, higher physical activity and higher alcohol use were associated with better post-retirement SRH, and a higher BMI and more depressive symptoms, to poorer post-retirement SRH. These associations were found in both low and high SEP. Targeting work characteristics will not likely reduce social inequalities in post-retirement health. Improving individual factors will benefit the health of all.