1
|
Carlsson E, Hemmingsson T, Landberg J, Burström B, Thern E. Do early life factors explain the educational differences in early labour market exit? A register-based cohort study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1680. [PMID: 37653490 PMCID: PMC10472566 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16626-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Socioeconomic inequalities in labour market participation are well established. However, we do not fully know what causes these inequalities. The present study aims to examine to what extent factors in childhood and late adolescence can explain educational differences in early labour market exit among older workers. METHODS All men born in 1951-1953 who underwent conscription examination for the Swedish military in 1969-1973 (n = 145 551) were followed from 50 to 64 years of age regarding early labour market exit (disability pension, long-term sickness absence, long-term unemployment and early old-age retirement with and without income). Early life factors, such as cognitive ability, stress resilience, and parental socioeconomic position, were included. Cox proportional-hazards regressions were used to estimate the association between the level of education and each early labour market exit pathway, including adjustment for early life factors. RESULTS The lowest educated men had a higher risk of exit through disability pension (HR: 2.72), long-term sickness absence (HR: 2.29), long-term unemployment (HR: 1.45), and early old-age retirement with (HR: 1.29) and without income (HR: 1.55) compared to the highest educated men. Factors from early life explained a large part of the educational differences in disability pension, long-term sickness absence and long-term unemployment but not for early old-age retirement. Important explanatory factors were cognitive ability and stress resilience, whilst cardiorespiratory fitness had negligible impact. CONCLUSIONS The association between education and early exit due to disability pension, long-term sickness absence and long-term unemployment was to a large part explained by factors from early life. However, this was not seen for early old-age retirement. These results indicate the importance of taking a life-course perspective when examining labour market participation in later working life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma Carlsson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Tomas Hemmingsson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonas Landberg
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bo Burström
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emelie Thern
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cheng X, Fang Y, Zeng Y. How long can Chinese women work after retirement based on health level: Evidence from the CHARLS. Front Public Health 2023; 11:987362. [PMID: 36923039 PMCID: PMC10009266 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.987362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To further enhance the understanding of factors impacting female participation in the workforce based on health levels and to measure the excess work capacity of middle-aged and older female groups by residence and educational level. Methods Data of women aged 45-74 were accessed from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) from 2011, 2013, 2015, to 2018. The health status of women was comprehensively evaluated by single health variables and frailty index. A Probit model was used to measure the excess working capacity of women by region (rural/urban) and educational level, taking all women aged 45-49, rural women aged 45-49, and rural (illiterate) women in all age groups as the benchmark, respectively. Results The excess capacity of all Chinese women aged 50-64 is 1.9 years, and that of women aged 50-74 is 5.1 years. The excess work capacity of women in urban and rural areas and with different educational levels is heterogeneous. The excess working capacity of urban women aged 50-64 is 6.1-7.8 years, and that of urban women aged 50-74 is 9.8-14.9 years. The excess working capacity of urban women aged 50-64 is about 6 times that of rural women. The excess work capacity of highly educated women was 3 times higher than that of illiterate women. Conclusion The potential work capacity of Chinese women remains to be exploited, especially for urban and highly educated middle-aged and older women with better conditions of health, whose potential is more significant. A rational retirement policy for women and the progressive implementation of an equal retirement age for men and women will contribute to further advancement of gender equality and healthy aging in the workplace in China.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiya Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of Fujian Province, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Ya Fang
- Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of Fujian Province, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yanbing Zeng
- School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Grubben M, Hoekman R, Kraaykamp G. Does the COVID-pandemic affect the educational and financial inequality in weekly sport participation in the Netherlands? CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL SCIENCE 2022; 18:7-25. [PMID: 36999086 PMCID: PMC10041977 DOI: 10.1080/21582041.2022.2155867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
This paper explores the impact of the COVID-pandemic on educational and financial inequality in level of weekly sport participation in the Netherlands. Restrictions due to the COVID-pandemic resulted in several barriers for people to continue sport participation. Lower educated people and individuals with financial problems are expected to have relatively few resources to adapt to the COVID restrictions, and therefore, more likely will decrease their level of weekly sport participation. Using high-quality data from the Dutch Longitudinal Internet Studies for the Social Sciences (LISS) panel, we are able to compare individual sport behaviour before and during the COVID-pandemic. Our findings suggest that the level of weekly sport participation of lower educated people and individuals with financial problems decreased more strongly during the COVID-pandemic. This implies that indeed the COVID-pandemic resulted in increasing educational and financial inequality in sport participation. With these results, our study contributes to a body of knowledge on the broader societal impact of COVID on issues of social exclusion. It may also inform policymakers to critically assess and intensify sport promotion policies directed at vulnerable groups in society.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Malou Grubben
- Department of Sociology, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Remco Hoekman
- Department of Sociology, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Mulier Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gerbert Kraaykamp
- Department of Sociology, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hazelzet E, Houkes I, Bosma H, de Rijk A. How a steeper organisational hierarchy prevents change-adoption and implementation of a sustainable employability intervention for employees in low-skilled jobs: a qualitative study. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:2373. [PMID: 36528559 PMCID: PMC9759045 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14754-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adoption and implementation are prerequisites for the effectiveness of organisational interventions, but successful implementation is not self-evident. This article provides insights into the implementation of the organisational intervention 'Healthy Human Resources' (HHR). HHR is developed with Intervention Mapping and aims at improving sustainable employability (SE) of employees in low-skilled jobs. METHODS Qualitative data on adoption and implementation were collected by interviews with three employees and seven middle managers in five Dutch organisations and by extensive notes of observations and conversations in a logbook. Data triangulation was applied and all data were transcribed and analysed thematically using the qualitative analysis guide of Leuven (QUAGOL). RESULTS All organisations adopted HHR, but three failed during the transition from adoption to implementation, and two implemented HHR only partially. The steepness of the organisational hierarchy emerged as an overarching barrier: steeper hierarchical organisations faced more difficulties with implementing HHR than flatter ones. This was reflected in middle managers' lack of decision-making authority and being overruled by senior management. Middle managers felt incapable of remedying the lack of employees' voice. Subsequently, 'us-versus-them' thinking patterns emerged. These power imbalances and 'us-versus-them' thinking reinforced each other, further strengthening the hierarchical steepness. Both processes could be the result of wider socio-political forces. CONCLUSIONS This study improved the understanding of the difficulties to adopt and implement such organisational intervention to contribute to the sustainable employability of employees in low-skilled jobs. Practical implications are given for future implementation of organisational interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emmelie Hazelzet
- grid.5012.60000 0001 0481 6099Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Inge Houkes
- grid.5012.60000 0001 0481 6099Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Bosma
- grid.5012.60000 0001 0481 6099Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Angelique de Rijk
- grid.5012.60000 0001 0481 6099Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
de Breij S, Huisman M, Boot CRL, Deeg DJH. Sex and gender differences in depressive symptoms in older workers: the role of working conditions. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1023. [PMID: 35597949 PMCID: PMC9123290 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13416-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Female older workers generally leave the work force earlier than men. Depressive symptoms are a risk factor of early work exit and are more common in women. To extend working lives, pathways leading to these sex inequalities need to be identified. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of sex and gender with depressive symptoms in older workers, and the role of working conditions in this association. METHODS We used data from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (2012-2013/2015-2016, n = 313). Our outcome was depressive symptoms, measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. We included biological sex, a gender index ranging from masculine to feminine (consisting of six items measuring gender roles: working hours, income, occupation segregation, education, informal caregiving, time spent on household chores), and working conditions (physical demands, psychosocial demands, cognitive demands, autonomy, task variation, social support) in our models. We examined the differential vulnerability hypothesis, i.e., sex/gender moderates the association between working conditions and depressive symptoms, and the differential exposure hypothesis, i.e., working conditions mediate the association between sex/gender and depressive symptoms. RESULTS Female sex and feminine gender were both associated with more depressive symptoms. The differential vulnerability hypothesis was not supported by our results. We did find that femininity was negatively associated with autonomy and task variation. In turn, these working conditions were associated with fewer depressive symptoms. Thus, autonomy and task variation partially mediated the association between gender and depressive symptoms, supporting the differential exposure hypothesis. Mediation effects for sex inequalities were not significant. CONCLUSIONS Older female workers and older feminine workers have more depressive symptoms than their male/masculine counterparts. Autonomy and task variation appeared to be important in - partially - explaining gender differences in depressive symptoms rather than sex differences. By improving these conditions, gender inequality in mental health among older workers can be reduced, so that both genders have similar chances to reach the retirement age in good mental health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sascha de Breij
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, De Boelelaan 1089A, 1081, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Martijn Huisman
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, De Boelelaan 1089A, 1081, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Sociology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Cécile R L Boot
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dorly J H Deeg
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, De Boelelaan 1089A, 1081, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Boersema HJ, Hoekstra T, Abma F, Brouwer S. Inability to Work Fulltime, Prevalence and Associated Factors Among Applicants for Work Disability Benefit. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL REHABILITATION 2021; 31:796-806. [PMID: 33710457 PMCID: PMC8558289 DOI: 10.1007/s10926-021-09966-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Inability to work fulltime is an important outcome in the assessment of workers applying for a disability benefit. However, limited knowledge is available about the prevalence and degree of the inability to work fulltime, the associations between disease-related and socio-demographic factors with inability to work fulltime and whether the prevalence and the associations differ across disease groups. Methods Anonymized register data on assessments of workers with residual work capacity (n = 30,177, age 48.8 ± 11.0, 53.9% female) applying for a work disability benefit in 2016 were used. Inability to work fulltime was defined as being able to work less than 8 h per day. Results The prevalence of inability to work fulltime was 39.4%, of these 62.5% could work up to 4 h per day. Higher age (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.01-1.01), female gender (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.37-1.52), higher education (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.33-1.55) and multimorbidity (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01-1.11) showed higher odds for inability to work fulltime. Highest odds for inability to work fulltime were found for diseases of the blood, neoplasms and diseases of the respiratory system. Within specific disease groups, different associations were identified between disease-related and socio-demographic factors. Conclusion The prevalence and degree of inability to work fulltime in work disability benefit assessments is high. Specific chronic diseases are found to have higher odds for inability to work fulltime, and associated factors differ per disease group.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Henk-Jan Boersema
- Department of Health Sciences, Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, PO Box 196, 9700 AD, Groningen, The Netherlands.
- Research Center for Insurance Medicine, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- The Dutch Social Security Institute: the Institute for Employee Benefits Schemes (UWV), Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Tialda Hoekstra
- Department of Health Sciences, Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, PO Box 196, 9700 AD, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Research Center for Insurance Medicine, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Femke Abma
- Department of Health Sciences, Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, PO Box 196, 9700 AD, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Research Center for Insurance Medicine, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Brouwer
- Department of Health Sciences, Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, PO Box 196, 9700 AD, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Research Center for Insurance Medicine, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Deeg DJ, De Tavernier W, de Breij S. Occupation-Based Life Expectancy: Actuarial Fairness in Determining Statutory Retirement Age. FRONTIERS IN SOCIOLOGY 2021; 6:675618. [PMID: 34497844 PMCID: PMC8419329 DOI: 10.3389/fsoc.2021.675618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
This study examines occupation-based differences in life expectancy and the extent to which health accounts for these differences. Twentyseven-year survival follow-up data were used from the Dutch population-based Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (n = 2,531), initial ages 55-85 years. Occupation was based on longest-held job. Results show that the non-skilled general, technical and transport domains had an up to 3.5-year shorter life expectancy than the academic professions, accounting for the compositional characteristics age and gender. Statutory retirement age could be made to vary accordingly, by allowing a proportionally greater pension build-up in the shorter-lived domains. Health accounted for a substantial portion of the longevity difference, ranging from 20 to 66%, depending on the health indicator. Thus, health differences between occupational domains today can be used as a means to tailor retirement ages to individuals' risks of longevity. These data provide a proof of principle for the development of an actuarially fair method to determine statutory retirement ages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dorly J.H. Deeg
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Wouter De Tavernier
- Centre for Comparative Welfare Studies, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Sascha de Breij
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Hazelzet E, Houkes I, Bosma H, de Rijk A. Using intervention mapping to develop 'Healthy HR' aimed at improving sustainable employability of low-educated employees. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1259. [PMID: 34187445 PMCID: PMC8240435 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11278-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The perspectives of low-educated employees are often neglected when designing sustainable employability (SE) interventions. As a result, the interventions offered by the employer do often not align with the needs of low-educated employees. This particular group should therefore be actively involved in the process of developing and implementing SE interventions in their work organizations. The current paper describes the development process of a web-based intervention for HR managers and direct supervisors aimed at improving the SE of low-educated employees. This intervention is specifically designed to involve low-educated employees. METHODS The first four steps of the Intervention Mapping (IM) approach were used to systematically develop the intervention with the active involvement of stakeholders. Step 1 comprised a needs assessment including a literature review, empirical evidence, scoping search and several focus group interviews with employees and with representatives of employers. Step 2 formulated the intervention objective. During step 3, suitable theoretical methods were selected and translated to practical applications. Step 4 involved the development of a web-based intervention by integrating all information from the preceding steps. RESULTS The needs assessment indicated that the employees' active involvement and employees-employer genuine dialogue should be essential characteristics of an SE intervention for low-educated employees. The online toolkit 'Healthy HR' (HHR) was developed, which contains eight steps. Each step consists of one or more tasks helping the employer and employees with developing and implementing SE interventions themselves. One or more dialogue-based tools support each task. The leading principle providing structure within HHR was Adapted Intervention Mapping. CONCLUSION Principles of IM appeared to be useful to develop the intervention HHR systematically. This development process resulted in a practical online toolkit that supports employers in the development and implementation of local SE interventions tailored to the needs of low-educated employees. These employees should be actively involved in the process through a dialogue-based approach. By using IM principles, HHR is expected to increase the effectiveness in bettering the health and well-being of low-educated employees.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emmelie Hazelzet
- Department of Social Medicine, CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, 6200 MD, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Inge Houkes
- Department of Social Medicine, CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, 6200 MD, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Hans Bosma
- Department of Social Medicine, CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, 6200 MD, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Angelique de Rijk
- Department of Social Medicine, CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, 6200 MD, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Brongers KA, Hoekstra T, Roelofs PDDM, Brouwer S. Prevalence, types, and combinations of multiple problems among recipients of work disability benefits. Disabil Rehabil 2021; 44:4303-4310. [PMID: 33789067 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2021.1900931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE For persons on disability benefits who are facing multiple problems, active labour market policies seem less successful. Besides health problems, these people perceive personal, social, and environmental problems. Since very little is known about these "non-medical" problems our aim was to explore the prevalence of clients experiencing multiple problems, the types and number of perceived problems, combinations of perceived problems, and associated characteristics in a group of work disability benefit recipients. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study, using self-reported data on perceived problems and socio-demographics, and register data from the Dutch Social Security Institute on diagnosed diseases and employment status. A convenient group of labour experts recruited eligible clients on work disability benefit. RESULTS Of the 207 persons on work disability benefit, 87% perceived having multiple problems. Most reported problems were related to physical (76%) or mental (76%) health. Health problems most frequently occurred together with a mismatch in education, financial problems, or care for family members. Clients with lower education experienced significantly more problems than clients with an intermediate or high educational level. CONCLUSIONS Clients with multiple problems face severe and intertwined problems in different domains of life, and need tailored multi-actor work disability management.Implications for rehabilitationClients with multiple problems face severe and intertwined problems in different domains of life; therefore, interventions tailored to deal with needs related to specific problems might be more effective than traditional programs.Interventions should match experienced barriers, and involve multi-actor work disability management with all the challenges of mutual cooperation.For persons with multiple problems a focus on pure medical barriers is too narrow, because personal, social, and environmental factors might also obstruct participation in work.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kor A Brongers
- Department of Health Sciences, Community and Occupational Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Research Center for Labour Expertise, Nijkerk, The Netherlands.,Dutch Social Security Institute: The Institute for Employee Benefits Schemes (UWV), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tialda Hoekstra
- Department of Health Sciences, Community and Occupational Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Research Center for Insurance Medicine, AMC-UMCG-UWV-VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Pepijn D D M Roelofs
- Department of Health Sciences, Community and Occupational Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Research Center for Insurance Medicine, AMC-UMCG-UWV-VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Research Centre Innovations in Care, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Brouwer
- Department of Health Sciences, Community and Occupational Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Research Center for Insurance Medicine, AMC-UMCG-UWV-VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
de Breij S, Huisman M, Deeg DJH. Work characteristics and health in older workers: Educational inequalities. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0241051. [PMID: 33095831 PMCID: PMC7584163 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
To be able to extend working lives, maintaining good health in older workers is important. The aim of the present study was to identify which work characteristics are associated with physical and mental health outcomes in older workers in the Netherlands, and particularly whether there are educational differences in these associations. We used longitudinal tobit and ordered logistic regression analyses to examine the associations between physical demands, psychosocial demands, variation in tasks, autonomy, and job strain and self-rated health (SRH), functional limitations, and depressive symptoms. We included interaction terms between the work characteristics and education to examine effect modification by education. We found that high physical demands, low variation in tasks, low autonomy, and high job strain were associated with poorer physical and mental health. We found evidence for educational differences in the exposure to these work characteristics, as well as in the strengths of their associations with health, with lower educated workers being disadvantaged. The associations between physical demands (SRH: OR = 3.70 (95%CI:1.92;7.11); functional limitations: B = 1.27 (95%CI:.47;2.07)), autonomy (SRH: OR = .42(95%CI:.26;.69)), and job strain (active job; SRH: OR = .25 (95%CI:.09;.69); functional limitations: B = -1.51 (95%CI:-2.68;-.34), and health were strongest in the lower educated workers. In order to maintain good health in older workers and reduce health inequalities, it is recommended to implement workplace interventions to improve working conditions, especially among the lower educated workers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sascha de Breij
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Martijn Huisman
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Sociology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dorly J. H. Deeg
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|