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Life-course trajectories of working conditions and successful ageing

Charlotta Nilsen Orcid Logo, Alexander Darin-Mattsson, Martin Hyde Orcid Logo, Jonas W. Wastesson

Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, Volume: 50, Issue: 5, Pages: 593 - 600

Swansea University Author: Martin Hyde Orcid Logo

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Abstract

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 survey...

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Published in: Scandinavian Journal of Public Health
ISSN: 1403-4948 1651-1905
Published: SAGE Publications 2022
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa57120
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Abstract: 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.
Keywords: Work-related stress, substantive complexity, physical working conditions, accumulation, de-accumulation, successful ageing, longitudinal
College: Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
Funders: Marcus and Marianne Wallenberg Foundation (Grant Number MMW 2016.008); and Forte, Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research (Grant Number 2019-01141 and 2016-07206)
Issue: 5
Start Page: 593
End Page: 600