Xue B, Tinkler P, McMunn A. The Long Shadow of Youth: Girls' Transition From Full-Time Education and Later-Life Subjective Well-Being in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing.
J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2021;
76:1838-1856. [PMID:
32725218 DOI:
10.1093/geronb/gbaa108]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
To investigate whether the timing and nature of women's transitions out of full-time (FT) education are related to later-life subjective well-being and the life-course experiences that might explain any associations seen.
METHODS
Data are from women in Wave 3 of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing who have participated in the life history interview and were aged 50+ at the interview (n = 3,889). Using multichannel sequence analysis, we identified 6 types of transition out of FT education (ages 14-26). Regression models were used to examine associations between transition types and life satisfaction, quality of life, and depressive symptoms at age 50+.
RESULTS
Women who made early transitions to married parenthood and FT domestic labor had lower levels of well-being on all 3 later-life well-being outcomes (p < .01), compared to women who made later transitions to family life and remained employed. Women who remained single up to age 26 also had lower life satisfaction (p < .05) and quality of life (p < .01) in later life than their counterparts who married and had children. These associations were explained by the life-course socioeconomic and relationship pathways. Advantaged childhood socioeconomic circumstances and higher educational qualifications set "Later Marriage and Later employment" women apart onto advantaged trajectories and a better quality of life later (p < .01).
DISCUSSION
The timing and nature of exits from FT education played a pivotal role in setting people onto life-course trajectories that influence well-being in later life for this older generation of women.
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