Life events as predictors of unsustainable working life trajectories from a life course perspective: Mo Wang. (25th October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, M; Raza, A; Narusyte, J; Silventoinen, K; Böckerman, P; Svedberg, P; Ropponen, A
• Is Part Of: European journal of public health. Volume 32(2022)Supplement 3
• Publication Date: 2022-10-25
• Subjects: Epidemiology -- Europe -- Periodicals; Public health -- Europe -- Periodicals; 362.109405
• DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckac129.093
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1101-1262

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The association between family-related life events (e.g., getting married or having children) and unsustainable working life in terms of unemployment, sickness absence and disability pension (SA/DP) are rarely studied from a life-course perspective although having public health importance. We investigated trajectories of unsustainable working life, and the associations between change in family-related life events and unsustainable working life trajectories by controlling for familial factors. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study of 37, 867 Swedish twins aged between 20-40 years on 31st December 1994. Data on trajectories of annual unemployment, SA/DP, and a combined measure of unsustainable working life months was collected from the Swedish national registers. The trajectories over a 23-year period were analysed by group-based trajectory modelling. Associations of change in family-related life events with trajectory groups in the whole sample were estimated by multinomial logistic regression and in discordant twin pairs (n = 4, 647 pairs) with conditional models. Results: Most participants had no or low levels of unemployment, SA/DP or combined unsustainable working life during 1994-2016. Individuals who were stably married or changed from being single living without children to married living with children had a decreased risk of unsustainable working life compared to individuals with stable family-related life events. The risk of unsustainable working life months over time was higher among individuals who changed from married to single status regardless of having children (range of HRs:1.31-4.44). Conclusions: Family-related life events such as maintaining the relationship or getting married and having children decreases the risk of unsustainable working life while divorce is a risk factor for unsustainable working life. From a public health perspective, actions to support family formation or life would consequently promote a sustainable working life. Key messages: Unsustainable working life was less likely among married and among those who changed from single living without children to married with children compared to those with stable family life events. Individuals who changed from being married to divorced status had an increased risk of unsustainable working life over time and therefore being potentially an important group for public health.