Life-course trajectories of working conditions and successful ageing
2021 (English)In: Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, ISSN 1403-4948, E-ISSN 1651-1905, article id 14034948211013279Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Aims: As populations are ageing worldwide, it is important to identify strategies to promote successful ageing. We investigate how working conditions throughout working life are associated with successful ageing in later life. Methods: Data from two nationally representative longitudinal Swedish surveys were linked (n=674). In 1991, respondents were asked about their first occupation, occupations at ages 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 years and their last recorded occupation. Occupations were matched with job exposure matrices to measure working conditions at each of these time points. Random effects growth curve models were used to calculate intra-individual trajectories of working conditions. Successful ageing, operationalised using an index including social and leisure activity, cognitive and physical function and the absence of diseases, was measured at follow-up in 2014 (age 70 years and older). Multivariable ordered logistic regressions were used to assess the association between trajectories of working conditions and successful ageing. Results: Intellectually stimulating work; that is, substantive complexity, in the beginning of one’s career followed by an accumulation of more intellectually stimulating work throughout working life was associated with higher levels of successful ageing. In contrast, a history of stressful, hazardous or physically demanding work was associated with lower levels of successful ageing. Conclusions: Promoting a healthy workplace, by supporting intellectually stimulating work and reducing physically demanding and stressful jobs, may contribute to successful ageing after retirement. In particular, it appears that interventions early in one’s employment career could have positive, long-term effects.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Sage Publications, 2021. article id 14034948211013279
Keywords [en]
accumulation, de-accumulation, longitudinal, physical working conditions, substantive complexity, successful ageing, Work-related stress
National Category
Gerontology, specialising in Medical and Health Sciences
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-52843DOI: 10.1177/14034948211013279ISI: 000654526300001PubMedID: 34030546Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85106443180Local ID: HOA;intsam;746301OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hj-52843DiVA, id: diva2:1561558
Funder
Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation, 2016.008Forte, Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare, 2019-01141, 2016-072062021-06-072021-06-072021-06-18Bibliographically approved