THE RELATION BETWEEN WORK CHARACTERISTICS AND HEALTH AFTER WORK EXIT IN LOW AND HIGH SOCIOECONOMIC GROUPS

摘要

This study examined whether the association between work characteristics and health remains after work exit and whether individual factors mediate this association. Longitudinal datasets from three countries were used: Netherlands (LASA), Denmark (DLSA) and England (ELSA). The association between pre-retirement work characteristics (physical demands, psychosocial demands, variation in activities and autonomy) and post-retirement self-rated health (SRH) was examined longitudinally, including individual factors (physical activity, smoking, alcohol use, BMI and depressive symptoms) as possible mediators. Work characteristics were neither associated with post-retirement health nor with individual factors. Among the individual factors, higher physical activity and higher alcohol use were associated with better post-retirement SRH, and a higher BMI and more depressive symptoms, to poorer post-retirement SRH. These associations were found in both low and high SEP. Targeting work characteristics will not likely reduce social inequalities in post-retirement health. Improving individual factors will benefit the health of all.