Muschalla B. Are retired persons fitter in their psychological capacities than unemployed? A cross-sectional representative study in Germany.
BMJ Open 2024;
14:e065869. [PMID:
38238046 PMCID:
PMC10806760 DOI:
10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065869]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Beyond specific aspects of numerical or verbal intelligence or cognitive speed, a broad range of psychological capacities are generally important in school, job and social life for all age groups. People have to quit the labour market up from a certain age about 65, whereas (younger) unemployed are motivated for return to work. The question is which psychological capacity profiles can be found in different employment groups (employed, mini-jobbers, voluntary service, retired, unemployed).
DESIGN
A representative cross-sectional survey was conducted in Germany, reaching 2528 persons.
SETTING
Republic of Germany.
PARTICIPANTS
Randomly selected inhabitants throughout Germany.
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES
Participants reported their sociodemographic and work characteristics, as well as their psychological capacity profiles (Mini-ICF-APP-S) and work-related specific mental health problems (work-anxiety, embitterment).
RESULTS
The unemployed had-compared with all other groups-highest rates of work-anxiety and embitterment (16.3%). In contrast to the unemployed, the 'older' (70 aged) retired group, who were no longer working on the labour market, seldomly reported work-anxiety (2.6%) or embitterment (4.2%). The unemployed had the worst capacity profiles, most frequently no school degree (11.5%), most unemployment in their history (four times, as compared with once in the older retired). The psychological capacity profiles of the retired were similar to employed persons.
CONCLUSIONS
Keeping older persons with high psychological capacity levels in working life could be an alternative to forced reintegration of people with chronic participation problems into the competitive labour market. Unemployed persons with chronic health and participation problems might benefit from other social inclusion means.
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