1
|
Fontana D, Ardito C, Leombruni R, Strippoli E, d'Errico A. Does the time spent in retirement improve health? An IV-Poisson assessment on the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Soc Sci Med 2024; 354:117084. [PMID: 39043065 PMCID: PMC11364157 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
In recent decades, pension reforms have been implemented to address the financial sustainability of social security systems, resulting in an increase in the retirement age. This adjustment has led to ongoing debates about the relationship between retirement and health. This study investigates the impact of time spent in retirement on the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Italy. It uses a comprehensive dataset that includes socioeconomic, health, and behavioural risk factors, which is linked to administrative hospitalisation and mortality registers. To address the potential endogeneity of retirement, we employ an instrumental variables approach embedded in a Poisson rate model. The results show that, on average, years spent in retirement have a beneficial effect on the risk of CVD for both men and women. Each additional year spent in retirement reduces the incidence of such diseases by about 17% for men and 29% for women. Stratified analyses and robustness tests show that the benefits of retirement appear to be more robust and pronounced in men and in certain groups, particularly men in manual occupations or with poor ergonomic conditions at work. These results highlight that delaying access to retirement may lead to an increased burden of CVD in the older population. In addition, the protective effect of retirement on the development of CVD among workers with poorer ergonomic conditions underlines the different impact of increasing the retirement age on different categories of workers and the need for targeted and differentiated policies to avoid hitting the more vulnerable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Chiara Ardito
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy.
| | - Roberto Leombruni
- Department of Economics and Statistics "Cognetti de Martiis", University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Spearing J. The effect of retirement eligibility on mental health in the United Kingdom: Heterogeneous effects by occupation. HEALTH ECONOMICS 2024; 33:1621-1648. [PMID: 38703393 DOI: 10.1002/hec.4835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
I investigate heterogeneity across occupational characteristics in the effect of retirement eligibility on mental health in the United Kingdom. I use K-means clustering to define three occupational clusters, differing across multiple dimensions. I estimate the effect of retirement eligibility using a Regression Discontinuity Design, allowing the effect to differ by cluster. The effects of retirement eligibility are beneficial, and greater in two clusters: one comprised of white-collar jobs in an office setting and another of blue-collar jobs with high physical demands and hazards. The cluster with smaller benefits mixes blue- and white-collar uncompetitive jobs with high levels of customer interaction. The results have implications for the distributional effect of raising the retirement age.
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang Y, Tian Y, Du W, Fan L. Does work after retirement affect health-related quality of life: Evidence from a propensity score matching study in China. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24:722-729. [PMID: 38766995 DOI: 10.1111/ggi.14893] [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: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
AIM Extending working life is considered as an important initiative to respond to the population aging and pension payment dilemma. This study aimed to investigate whether work after retirement is related to improved health-related quality of life. METHODS We used two waves of data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study in 2011 and 2018. Work after retirement was ascertained based on self-reported retirement and work status, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was measured with the three-level EuroQol five-dimensions. The impact of work after retirement on HRQOL was analyzed using the propensity score matching with difference-in-difference approach. RESULTS A total of 1043 retirees were included. The results showed that work after retirement was associated with significant improvement in HRQOL among retirees (β = 0.072, P < 0.001). Heterogeneity analyses did not show specificity on sex (P for sex interaction >0.05), but older-aged retirees seemed more sensitive to the benefits of work after retirement on HRQOL than their younger-aged counterparts (≥65 years: β = 0.167, P < 0.001 vs <65 years: β = -0.047, P > 0.05; P for age interaction = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS Work after retirement shows a positive impact on HRQOL among community-dwelling adults in China. Policy-makers should take the health of retirees into account when implementing policies related to delayed retirement, and reduce health inequity. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 722-729.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Wang
- School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Tian
- School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- School of Law and Public Administration, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Du
- School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lijun Fan
- School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Serrano-Alarcón M, Ardito C, Leombruni R, Kentikelenis A, d'Errico A, Odone A, Costa G, Stuckler D. Health and labor market effects of an unanticipated rise in retirement age. Evidence from the 2012 Italian pension reform. HEALTH ECONOMICS 2023; 32:2745-2767. [PMID: 37667427 DOI: 10.1002/hec.4749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
As retirement ages increase around the world, not all workers may be equally able to extend their working lives. In this article, we examine the health and labor market effects of an Italian pension reform that suddenly increased the normal retirement age up to 7 years for women and up to 2 years for men. To do this, we use linked labor and healthcare administrative data, jointly with survey data and difference-in-difference methods. Our results show that the reform was effective in postponing retirement among both genders, as pension claiming dropped substantially for older workers. However, there were also side effects as the reform significantly pushed previously employed men and women into unemployment and disability pension. Among women only, the reform also increased sick leave and hospitalizations related to mental health and injuries. These effects were driven by women with previously low health status, suggesting that undifferentiated and abrupt increases in pension age might harm more vulnerable workers. Coherently with the milder tightening of retirement age experienced by men, labor market responses were smaller in size, and they did not suffer any significant health effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Serrano-Alarcón
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
- DONDENA Research Centre, Bocconi University, Milano, Italy
| | - Chiara Ardito
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
| | - Roberto Leombruni
- Department of Economics and Statistics, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Angelo d'Errico
- Epidemiology Unit of Piedmont Region, ASL TO3, Grugliasco, Turin, Italy
| | - Anna Odone
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Costa
- Epidemiology Unit of Piedmont Region, ASL TO3, Grugliasco, Turin, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - David Stuckler
- DONDENA Research Centre, Bocconi University, Milano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Burdorf A, Fernandes RCP, Robroek SJW. Health and inclusive labour force participation. Lancet 2023; 402:1382-1392. [PMID: 37838443 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(23)00868-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
The future of work is rapidly changing, with higher flexibility of the labour market and increasing informal employment in many countries worldwide. There is also an increased pressure to extend working careers until older age. We introduce the concept of working life expectancy as a useful metric, capturing the expected numer of years in paid employment across the working age individuals, in particular among different groups. We describe factors that determine working life expectancy. Macro-level factors focus on the socioeconomic and political context that influences labour force participation, primarily policies and legislation in specific countries. At the meso level, employment contracts and working conditions are important. The micro level shows that individual characteristics, such as education, gender, and age, influence working careers. There are three important groups with a disadvantaged position in the labour market-workers with chronic diseases, workers with impairing disabilities, and workers aged 50 years or more. Within each of these disadvantaged groups, macro-level, meso-level, and micro-level factors that influence entering and exiting paid employment are discussed. To assure that paid employment is available for everyone of working age and that work contributes to better health, specific challenges need to be addressed at the macro, meso, and micro levels. To reach inclusive labour force participation, national policies, company practices, and workplace improvements need to be aligned to ensure safe and healthy workplaces that contribute to the health and wellbeing of workers and their communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alex Burdorf
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
| | - Rita C P Fernandes
- Faculdade de Medicina da Bahia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Suzan J W Robroek
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Parbst M, Wheaton B. The Effect of Welfare State Policy Spending on the Equalization of Socioeconomic Status Disparities in Mental Health. JOURNAL OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOR 2023; 64:336-353. [PMID: 37096773 PMCID: PMC10486153 DOI: 10.1177/00221465231166334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
This article examines whether and how the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and depression is modified by welfare state spending using the 2006, 2012, and 2014 survey rounds of the European Social Survey (ESS) merged with macroeconomic data from the World Bank, Eurostat, and SOCX database (N = 87,466). Welfare state spending effort divided between social investment and social protection spending modifies the classic inverse relationship between SES and depression. Distinguishing policy areas in both social investment and social protection spending demonstrates that policy programs devoted to education, early childhood education and care, active labor market policies, old age care, and incapacity account for differences in the effect of SES across countries. Our analysis finds that social investment policies better explain cross-national differences in the effect of SES on depression, implying policies focused earlier in the life course matter more for understanding social disparities in the mental health of populations.
Collapse
|
7
|
Vo TT, Phu-Duyen TT. Mental health around retirement: evidence of Ashenfelter's dip. Glob Health Res Policy 2023; 8:35. [PMID: 37620953 PMCID: PMC10464218 DOI: 10.1186/s41256-023-00320-3] [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: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mental health issues among retirees have become increasingly concerning because the aging population presents a significant challenge globally, particularly in Western countries. Previous studies on this issue are plagued with bias owing to lacking panel data and estimation strategies. This study investigated the depression levels of European adults around the time of retirement. METHODS We used data obtained from Waves 1-7 of the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) to create panel data covering the 2004-2017 period. Wave 3 (SHARELIFE) was excluded from the sample because it provided mismatched information. Fixed-effects (FE) and fixed-effects instrumental variables (FE-IV) models with multiple imputations were employed to examine the impacts of retirement on mental health before and after retirement, where being over pension age (normal and early) was used as the instrument variable. RESULTS Our results indicated that retirement based on aspirational motivations (β = - 0.115, p < 0.001) and positive circumstances (β = - 0.038, p < 0.001) significantly reduced depression, whereas retiring under negative circumstances could deteriorate one's mental health (β = 0.087, p < 0.001). FE and FE-IV models indicated that overall, retiring reduced retirees' depression (β = - 0.096, p < 0.001 and β = - 0.261, p < 0.001, respectively). The results of FE-IV models showed that adults planning to retire in the next two years experienced less depression compared with others in the workforce (λ = - 0.313, p < 0.01). These adults must have adjusted their lifestyles in response to their impending retirement, thereby evincing Ashenfelter's dip. Two years after retirement, when the "honeymoon" phase was over, retirees may have completely adapted to their new lives and the effect of retirement was no longer important. CONCLUSIONS Retirement improves mental health before it happens, but not after. Increasing the pension eligibility age may postpone the beneficial effects of retirement on health. However, policy implications should be tailored according to the unique situations of each country, job sector, and population. Providing flexible schemes regarding retirement timing decisions would be better than a generalized retirement policy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thang T Vo
- Health and Agricultural Policy Research Institute, 279 Nguyen Tri Phuong, District 10, 72406, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
- School of Economics, University of Economics HCMC, 279 Nguyen Tri Phuong, District 10, 72406, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
| | - Tran T Phu-Duyen
- Health and Agricultural Policy Research Institute, 279 Nguyen Tri Phuong, District 10, 72406, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Use it too much and lose everything? The effects of hours of work on health. SSM Popul Health 2022; 20:101245. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
|
9
|
Peng X, Yin J, Wang Y, Chen X, Qing L, Wang Y, Yang T, Deng D. Retirement and elderly health in China: Based on propensity score matching. Front Public Health 2022; 10:790377. [PMID: 36407989 PMCID: PMC9669292 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.790377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The relationship between retirement and health is important to the formulation of retirement related policies but is a controversial topic, perhaps because selection bias has not been well-addressed in previous studies through traditional analysis methods. Using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), this study explored the potential impact of retirement on the health of elderly Chinese individuals, adjusting for selection bias. Methods We balanced the baseline differences between retirement groups and working groups based on nearest neighbor matching and genetic matching with a generalized boosted model (GBM), and regression analysis was used to evaluate the impact of retirement on the health of elderly individuals. Results No significant difference was found in any of the covariates between the two groups after matching. Genetic matching performed better than nearest neighbor matching in balancing the covariates. Compared to the working group, the retirement group had a 0.78 (95% CI: 0.65-0.94, P = 0.026) times higher probability of self-reported physical pain, a 0.76 (95% CI: 0.62-0.93, P = 0.023) times higher probability of depression, and a 0.57-point (95% CI: 0.37-0.78, P < 0.001) improvement in cognitive status score. Among male, the retirement group had a 0.89-point (95% CI: 0.45-1.33, P < 0.001) improvement in cognitive status score for low education, a 0.65 (95% CI: 0.46-0.92, P = 0.042) times higher probability of self-reported physical pain for middle education. For female with low education, the cognitive status of the retirement group was significantly higher by 0.99 points (95% CI: 0.42-1.55, P = 0.004), the probability of depression was 0.56 (95% CI: 0.36-0.87, P = 0.031) times higher in the retirement group than in the working group. There was no difference for the middle and high education. Conclusion Retirement can exert a beneficial effect on the health of elderly individuals. Therefore, the government and relevant departments should consider this potential effect when instituting policies that delay retirement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Peng
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jin Yin
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Public Health Center, Tianfu New Area Disease Prevention and Control Center, Sichuan, China
| | - Xinrui Chen
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Liyuan Qing
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yunna Wang
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Tong Yang
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dan Deng
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Rodwell J, Hendry T, Johnson D. A Parsimonious Taxonomy of The Newly Retired: Spousal and Disability Combinations Shape Part or Complete Retirement. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:13537. [PMID: 36294117 PMCID: PMC9603227 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The inadequate classification of retiree sub-groups ultimately results in misaligned policy. To generate sets of sub-groups that may be appropriately targeted for policy and interventions, variables are used that reflect the social structure of retirees, particularly the options of partial and complete retirement, marital status, gender, as well as the retirement status of the spouse, where relevant, and disability. Three sets of longitudinal Australian data were combined, each reflecting a four-year period (2003-2007, 2007-2011, 2011-2015) during which the individuals aged 45 to 69 retired (n = 1179). A multiway frequency analysis was performed to develop an inductive, combinatorial model of retirement from work. The resulting parsimonious taxonomy of sub-groups of the newly retired reflected main effects and interactions of key social-structural variables. Notably, a key driver of the pattern of results was that couples tend to coordinate their retirement behavior in both the decision to retire and form of retirement. Non-partnered retirees were more likely to be women. Disability was also a driver of retirement for non-partnered retirees, regardless of gender. Identifying sub-groups based on combinations of retiree characteristics can better inform policy design, appropriate health promotion interventions and potential specific triggers for enacting those policies. Overall, marital status, spousal retirement behavior and disability may each present a more useful basis for a taxonomy of retirement than more individually oriented age- and wealth-based systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John Rodwell
- Department of Management & Marketing, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia
| | - Thomas Hendry
- Griffith Business School, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Dianne Johnson
- Griffith Business School, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Burkhalter D, Wagner A, Feer S, Wieber F, Ihle A, Baumann I. Financial Reasons for Working beyond the Statutory Retirement Age: Risk Factors and Associations with Health in Late Life. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph191710505. [PMID: 36078221 PMCID: PMC9518211 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191710505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Despite an increasing trend of working life prolongation, little is known about the risk factors for financial reasons for working beyond the statutory retirement age (SRA), and how these reasons relate to health. The present study examined (1) the determinants of working beyond the SRA, (2) the workers' self-reported reasons for working beyond the SRA, and (3) the association between these reasons and health in late life. Cross-sectional data of 1241 individuals from the Swiss survey "Vivre/Leben/Vivere" were analyzed. The results showed that people with a low level of education and with a low income have an 80% higher risk of working beyond the SRA for financial reasons than for other reasons (p < 0.001). Moreover, self-rated health was not significantly associated with working beyond the SRA for financial reasons but was significantly associated with education and income (p < 0.01). In conclusion, while previous studies have already identified financial difficulties as one important reason for working beyond the SRA, the present study indicated the socioeconomic factors that are crucial for increasing the risk for working beyond the SRA. Thus, our results help to guide the adaptation of social policies for better maintaining and promoting the health of particularly vulnerable older workers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Denise Burkhalter
- Institute of Public Health, ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, 8400 Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - Aylin Wagner
- Swiss Paraplegic Research, 6207 Nottwil, Switzerland
| | - Sonja Feer
- Institute of Public Health, ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, 8400 Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - Frank Wieber
- Institute of Public Health, ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, 8400 Winterthur, Switzerland
- Chair of Social Psychology and Motivation, University of Konstanz, 78464 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Andreas Ihle
- Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Psychology, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research LIVES—Overcoming Vulnerability: Life Course Perspectives, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Isabel Baumann
- Institute of Public Health, ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, 8400 Winterthur, Switzerland
- Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research LIVES—Overcoming Vulnerability: Life Course Perspectives, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Late-Life Working Participation and Mental Health Risk of Retirement-Aged Workers: How Much Impact Will There Be From Social Security System? J Occup Environ Med 2022; 64:e409-e416. [PMID: 35673247 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000002561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Increasing retirement-aged workers are encouraged to stay in the labor market, as delayed retirement initiative is proposed. This study investigates the interplay of late-life working participation and social security on the mental health risk of retirement-aged workers. METHOD We applied data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS-2018), and the instrumental variables regression was conducted. RESULTS Late-life working could alleviate depression, as did the beneficiary status of employment-based social health insurance and the pensionable phase of social pension participation. Besides, the role of late-life working in alleviating depression became more salient when late retirees were not insured by the employment-based social health insurance and still in the pension contribution phase. CONCLUSIONS It is suggested that the current social security system in China has not been sufficiently well designed to protect the mental health of retirement-aged workers.
Collapse
|
13
|
Abstract
AIMS Retirement is a major life transition that may improve or worsen mental health, including depression. Existing studies provide contradictory results. We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis to quantitatively pool available evidence on the association of retirement and depressive symptoms. METHODS We applied PRISMA guidelines to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to retrieve, quantitatively pool and critically evaluate the association between retirement and both incident and prevalent depression and to understand better the potential role of individual and contextual-level determinants. Relevant original studies were identified by searching PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library, through 4 March 2021. Subgroup and sensitivity meta-analyses were conducted by gender, study design (longitudinal v. cross-sectional studies), study quality score (QS) and considering studies using validated scales to diagnose depression. Heterogeneity between studies was evaluated with I2 statistics. RESULTS Forty-one original studies met our a priori defined inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis on more than half a million subjects (n = 557 111) from 60 datasets suggested a protective effect of retirement on the risk of depression [effect size (ES) = 0.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.74-0.93], although with high statistical heterogeneity between risk estimates (χ2 = 895.19, df = 59, I2 = 93.41%, p-value < 0.0001). Funnel plot asymmetry and trim and fill method suggested a minor potential publication bias. Results were consistent, confirm their robustness and suggest stronger protective effects when progressively restricting the included studies based on quality criteria: (i) studies with the highest QS [55 datasets, 407 086 subjects, ES = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.71-0.91], (ii) studies with a high QS and using validated assessment tools to diagnose depression (44 datasets, 239 453 subjects, ES = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.65-0.88) and (iii) studies of high quality, using a validated tool and with a longitudinal design (24 datasets, 162 004 subjects, ES = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.64-0.90). We observed a progressive reduction in funnel plot asymmetry. About gender, no statistically significant difference was found (females ES = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.61-1.02 v. men ES = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.68-1.11). CONCLUSIONS Pooled data suggested that retirement reduces by nearly 20% the risk of depression; such estimates got stronger when limiting the analysis to longitudinal and high-quality studies, even if results are affected by high heterogeneity.As retirement seems to have an independent and protective effect on mental health and depressive symptoms, greater flexibility in retirement timing should be granted to older workers to reduce their mental burden and avoid the development of severe depression. Retirement may also be identified as a target moment for preventive interventions, particularly primary and secondary prevention, to promote health and wellbeing in older ages, boosting the observed impact.
Collapse
|
14
|
Employees' Emotional, Cognitive, and Behavioral Responses to Increasing Statutory Retirement Ages. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:6645271. [PMID: 34660795 PMCID: PMC8514891 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6645271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Increasing statutory retirement ages around the world are forcing employees to prolong their working lives. We study the different ways in which mid- and late-career workers respond to such changes. We distinguish between negative emotions about working longer, cognitive engagement with prolonged employment, and proactive behavior to facilitate longer working lives. We analyze data from 1,351 employees aged 40-66 from the Netherlands. We estimate a structural equation model to identify in which ways experiences of age discrimination, accessibility of accommodative HR facilities, and social norms in the workers' social networks are related to the three different types of responses. Results show that when employees do not experience age discrimination, when their employer offers easily accessible accommodative HR facilities, and the social norms support prolonged employment, employees have fewer negative emotional reactions and are more likely to behaviorally respond to facilitate longer working lives. When these contexts are misaligned, the reverse is generally found. We also find socioeconomic differences in the ways employees respond to the prospect of prolonged employment. This study shows the importance of supportive contexts at different levels—societally, in organizations, and in individuals' own lives—for policy changes such as increasing statutory retirement ages to be effective. Different responses between different socioeconomic groups may lead to growing long-term inequality.
Collapse
|
15
|
Leckcivilize A, McNamee P. The Effects of Retirement on Health and Health Behaviour among Retirees and their Partners: Evidence from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. JOURNAL OF POPULATION AGEING 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12062-021-09337-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
|