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