International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(13), 2020, p.4722. Online only
Publisher:
Molecular Diversity Preservation International and Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
... this paper presents the analysis of how social workers’ perception of retirement and extended working lives are associated with dimensions of Work-Related Quality of Life (WRQL). This study found that social workers who agreed that a flexible working policy would encourage them to delay their retirement scored lower on the Home-Work Interface and Control at Work dimensions of WRQL, while social workers who indicated a perception that their employer would not wish them to work beyond a certain age had lower Job and Career Satisfaction scores. Second, this paper proposes a new typology of retirement outlooks using latent class analysis of these attitudinal measures. An 8-class solution is proposed, and demonstrates the predictive utility of this scheme. Results are discussed in terms of the challenges
(Edited publisher abstract)
Planning for future health and social services (HSS) workforces must be informed by an understanding of how workers view their work within the context of their life and the challenges they will face across the course of life. There is a range of policies and provisions that states and organisations can adopt to create sustainable careers, support wellbeing at work, and extend working lives where appropriate, but the potential impact of these policies on the make-up of the workforce remains under investigation. This paper makes the case that service planners need to appreciate complex interplay between wellbeing and career decisions when planning the future workforce. It makes use of a recent survey of United Kingdom (UK) social workers (n = 1434) to illustrate this interplay in two ways. First, this paper presents the analysis of how social workers’ perception of retirement and extended working lives are associated with dimensions of Work-Related Quality of Life (WRQL). This study found that social workers who agreed that a flexible working policy would encourage them to delay their retirement scored lower on the Home-Work Interface and Control at Work dimensions of WRQL, while social workers who indicated a perception that their employer would not wish them to work beyond a certain age had lower Job and Career Satisfaction scores. Second, this paper proposes a new typology of retirement outlooks using latent class analysis of these attitudinal measures. An 8-class solution is proposed, and demonstrates the predictive utility of this scheme. Results are discussed in terms of the challenges for ageing Western populations and the usefulness of analysis such as this in estimating the potential uptake and impact of age-friendly policies and provisions.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
wellbeing, social workers, retirement, mental health, staff views, ageing;
British Journal of Social Work, 50(2), 2020, pp.405-426.
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
... and self-reported planning around retirement; (ii) mental health and well-being, quality of working life and home and work interface and (iii) intention to leave work and retirement planning. Statistical analysis enabled examination of how the interrelationship of these factors and relevant individual characteristics interact within the systemic work environment. Findings revealed that all participants had
(Publisher abstract)
Social work, like many other human service professions, is ageing. This article reports and discusses the findings of a UK social work survey undertaken in 2018 (1,397 responses). It investigated how organisational policies and individual factors were affecting individual social workers’ decisions about working in later life. The survey measured (i) social workers’ attitudes to ageing at work and self-reported planning around retirement; (ii) mental health and well-being, quality of working life and home and work interface and (iii) intention to leave work and retirement planning. Statistical analysis enabled examination of how the interrelationship of these factors and relevant individual characteristics interact within the systemic work environment. Findings revealed that all participants had considered factors that might cause them to retire early. Framing the findings in an ecological conceptual model suggests that age-inclusive professional and organisational cultures, age-positive human resource management, support from line managers, fair working conditions and the ability to manage health and well-being, might enable social workers to extend their working lives in line with government policy. These findings provide insights for social work workforce policymakers and for employers to assist in their development of organisational and individual adjustments to sustain well-being in the social work profession.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
ageing, conditions of employment, wellbeing, retirement, social workers, staff views, attitudes;
Purpose of the study: Good health and wellbeing in later life are central issues for public health. Retirement presents an opportunity to intervene to improve health and wellbeing, as individuals may adjust associated lifestyle behaviours. However, there is little evidence about how wellbeing is experienced in the context of increasingly diverse retirement transitions. Our objectives were to explore (a) views on health and wellbeing through retirement transitions and (b) acceptability of intervening in this period. Design and methods: Qualitative study involving 48 workers/retirees, aged 53–77 years of diverse socioeconomic status, were recruited from urban and rural areas in North East England. Data were collected iteratively through focus groups (n = 6), individual interviews (n = 13), interviews with couples (n = 4), using the constant comparative method. Analysis was informed by theories of the Third Age and Sen’s capabilities approach. Results: Diverse retirement transitions were shaped by unanticipated events. Central to wellbeing was the “capability” to utilise resources to achieve desirable outcomes. Participants rejected a “later life” identity, associating it with decline, and an uncertain future. Implications: Lifestyle interventions that address challenges within the retirement transition may be acceptable. Inducements to change behaviour based on possible long-term outcomes may be less appealing. Providing assistance to use resources to address personal goals may be central to effective interventions.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Purpose of the study: Good health and wellbeing in later life are central issues for public health. Retirement presents an opportunity to intervene to improve health and wellbeing, as individuals may adjust associated lifestyle behaviours. However, there is little evidence about how wellbeing is experienced in the context of increasingly diverse retirement transitions. Our objectives were to explore (a) views on health and wellbeing through retirement transitions and (b) acceptability of intervening in this period. Design and methods: Qualitative study involving 48 workers/retirees, aged 53–77 years of diverse socioeconomic status, were recruited from urban and rural areas in North East England. Data were collected iteratively through focus groups (n = 6), individual interviews (n = 13), interviews with couples (n = 4), using the constant comparative method. Analysis was informed by theories of the Third Age and Sen’s capabilities approach. Results: Diverse retirement transitions were shaped by unanticipated events. Central to wellbeing was the “capability” to utilise resources to achieve desirable outcomes. Participants rejected a “later life” identity, associating it with decline, and an uncertain future. Implications: Lifestyle interventions that address challenges within the retirement transition may be acceptable. Inducements to change behaviour based on possible long-term outcomes may be less appealing. Providing assistance to use resources to address personal goals may be central to effective interventions.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
older people, retirement, strengths-based approach, wellbeing, intervention, prevention, life style;
Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 17(2), 2016, pp.131-140.
Publisher:
Emerald
... of this paper is to explore how mobility strategies develop during the first years of retirement.
Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative analysis based on initial interviews with a total of 27 retired people during their first year of retirement and again, about three years later.
Findings: Important changes during the first years of retirement included illness or a decline in physical health. Mobility
(Edited publisher abstract)
Purpose: Mobility is an important aspect of well-being, activity and participation. Retiring from paid work is a transition in later life when people need to adjust to a new daily structure and fill the day with activities other than work. Life-course transitions influence demands for mobility and choice of travel mode as people adapt to new circumstances and learning processes. The purpose of this paper is to explore how mobility strategies develop during the first years of retirement.
Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative analysis based on initial interviews with a total of 27 retired people during their first year of retirement and again, about three years later.
Findings: Important changes during the first years of retirement included illness or a decline in physical health. Mobility had become a means of achieving certain goals after an illness, such as learning to walk, being able to drive or enjoying the time that was left. While some enjoyed not having commitments, others experienced difficulties in filling the day. The results indicate four dimensions of mobility: means of carrying out activities which are needed and desired; resources for creating activities; a leisure activity in itself; and subordinate to staying at home.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This article summarises previous employment histories and studies associations between types of histories and quality of life in older ages. Retrospective information from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) was used and the occupational situation for each age between 30 and 65 of 4,808 men and 4,907 women aged 65 or older in Europe was considered. Similar histories were regrouped using sequence analyses, and multi-level modelling was applied to study associations with quality of life. To avoid reverse causality, individuals with poor health prior to or during their working life were excluded. Men's employment histories were dominated by long periods of paid employment that ended in retirement (‘regular’ histories). Women's histories were more diverse and also involved domestic work, either preceding regular careers (‘mixed’ histories) or dominating working life (‘home-maker’ histories). The highest quality of life was found among women with mixed histories and among men with regular histories and late retirement. In contrast, retirement between 55 and 60 (but not earlier) and regular histories ending in unemployment or domestic work (for men only) were related
(Publisher abstract)
This article summarises previous employment histories and studies associations between types of histories and quality of life in older ages. Retrospective information from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) was used and the occupational situation for each age between 30 and 65 of 4,808 men and 4,907 women aged 65 or older in Europe was considered. Similar histories were regrouped using sequence analyses, and multi-level modelling was applied to study associations with quality of life. To avoid reverse causality, individuals with poor health prior to or during their working life were excluded. Men's employment histories were dominated by long periods of paid employment that ended in retirement (‘regular’ histories). Women's histories were more diverse and also involved domestic work, either preceding regular careers (‘mixed’ histories) or dominating working life (‘home-maker’ histories). The highest quality of life was found among women with mixed histories and among men with regular histories and late retirement. In contrast, retirement between 55 and 60 (but not earlier) and regular histories ending in unemployment or domestic work (for men only) were related to lower quality of life, as well as home-maker histories in the case of women. Findings remain significant after controlling for social position, partnership and parental history, as well as income in older ages. Results point to the importance of continuous employment for health and wellbeing, not only during the working life, but also after labour market exit.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
ageing, older people, quality of life, employment, retirement, health, wellbeing;
Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 16(1), 2015, pp.32-36.
Publisher:
Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to highlight the strategic role of housing for older people and how it can address some of the key challenges facing politicians. The paper aims to encourage decision-makers and service providers to collaborate in new ways locally.
Findings: The paper argues that: Housing for older people is rising up the political agenda, but as a niche issue rather than one of strategic and economic importance. A multi-agency and outcomes-based approach to the wellbeing of older people, based on place-shaping principles, needs to be mainstreamed locally. Older people have not escaped the impact of austerity measures and this has heightened the need for a range of high quality housing options, in supportive communities, in later life. Good housing options for older people could address the key issues vexing politicians, but there are obstacles to older people accessing such options.
Originality/value: The paper suggests a radical, systemic approach is required to ensure better outcomes for older people and, in turn, to generate savings for the public purse.
(Publisher abstract)
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to highlight the strategic role of housing for older people and how it can address some of the key challenges facing politicians. The paper aims to encourage decision-makers and service providers to collaborate in new ways locally.
Findings: The paper argues that: Housing for older people is rising up the political agenda, but as a niche issue rather than one of strategic and economic importance. A multi-agency and outcomes-based approach to the wellbeing of older people, based on place-shaping principles, needs to be mainstreamed locally. Older people have not escaped the impact of austerity measures and this has heightened the need for a range of high quality housing options, in supportive communities, in later life. Good housing options for older people could address the key issues vexing politicians, but there are obstacles to older people accessing such options.
Originality/value: The paper suggests a radical, systemic approach is required to ensure better outcomes for older people and, in turn, to generate savings for the public purse.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
ageing, retirement, older people, housing, politics, wellbeing, quality of life;
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how older workers and people who have already retired speak about ageing and change and their experience of retirement.
Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative study is described in which focus groups with older workers and semi-structured interviews with retired people were carried out. The recorded data were analysed using a linguistic approach (Discourse Analysis), which investigates in detail how people express their views and opinions and how their discourse might relate to societal attitudes towards ageing and retirement.
Findings: Many older people who were still at work were concerned that they would decline and become senile once they retired unless they could remain active in some way. This was confirmed by people who had already retired and who spoke about how keeping busy and active had resulted in successful retirement and ageing.
Research limitations/implications: Participants from four focus groups and five interview respondents represent only a small sample of older people who are still working or who are retired. This means that the results of this study cannot be extended to include all older workers and retired people.
Social implications: This study will help to raise awareness of the concerns of older workers who may be nearing retirement, and how keeping busy and active after leaving work is considered by retirees to be part of successful retirement and helping to combat decline.
Originality/value: A study of this nature which examines how older workers express their views about retirement using Discourse
(Publisher abstract)
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how older workers and people who have already retired speak about ageing and change and their experience of retirement.
Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative study is described in which focus groups with older workers and semi-structured interviews with retired people were carried out. The recorded data were analysed using a linguistic approach (Discourse Analysis), which investigates in detail how people express their views and opinions and how their discourse might relate to societal attitudes towards ageing and retirement.
Findings: Many older people who were still at work were concerned that they would decline and become senile once they retired unless they could remain active in some way. This was confirmed by people who had already retired and who spoke about how keeping busy and active had resulted in successful retirement and ageing.
Research limitations/implications: Participants from four focus groups and five interview respondents represent only a small sample of older people who are still working or who are retired. This means that the results of this study cannot be extended to include all older workers and retired people.
Social implications: This study will help to raise awareness of the concerns of older workers who may be nearing retirement, and how keeping busy and active after leaving work is considered by retirees to be part of successful retirement and helping to combat decline.
Originality/value: A study of this nature which examines how older workers express their views about retirement using Discourse Analysis is original and may be used as a method for future research into other aspects of being older at work.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
older people, ageing, wellbeing, quality of life, retirement, attitudes;
... boomers' relationships as they retire, focusing on the transitions people go through as they age, such as retirement and a decline in physical and mental health. Recommendations for government, commissioners, charities and older people are presented.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Good quality personal relationships are important to everyone at all stages of life. This report explores the role of couple, family and social relationships for the baby boomer generation and how these may be put under strain in older age. It draws on a comprehensive literature review, an analysis of publicly available datasets, an an Ipsos MORI surevey of 1,390 adults about their attitudes to ageing. The first section of the report outlines why relationships are important, and argues they are good for both individuals and society, and should be considered the third pillar of a good old age. The second section reviews existing data and research on what is known about the relationships of baby boomers and how they are likely to change with age. The third section looks at the strains of baby boomers' relationships as they retire, focusing on the transitions people go through as they age, such as retirement and a decline in physical and mental health. Recommendations for government, commissioners, charities and older people are presented.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Ageing and Society, 29(3), April 2009, pp.413-430.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
... experienced lower psychosocial wellbeing than those who retired for other reasons. Moreover, the results show that those who were able to influence the time of their retirement enjoyed better psychosocial wellbeing than those who had little or no opportunity to do so. This was true when controlling for other factors relevant to the wellbeing of pensioners. The results lend support to the argument that, if a man's retirement is instigated because his skills are no longer required, there will be a decidedly negative effect on his wellbeing – and that this effect is stronger than the equivalent impact on a woman's wellbeing. In relation to previous findings in this field, the results make it clear that retirement is far from a uniform process or state.
The study used data from the Swedish Panel Survey of Ageing and the Elderly (PSAE), a nationally representative survey of the living conditions of older people in Sweden. The results show that almost one-half of all pensioners cited health problems as a contributory reason for ceasing work. Furthermore, those who retired for ‘push’ reasons, such as health problems or labour market factors, experienced lower psychosocial wellbeing than those who retired for other reasons. Moreover, the results show that those who were able to influence the time of their retirement enjoyed better psychosocial wellbeing than those who had little or no opportunity to do so. This was true when controlling for other factors relevant to the wellbeing of pensioners. The results lend support to the argument that, if a man's retirement is instigated because his skills are no longer required, there will be a decidedly negative effect on his wellbeing – and that this effect is stronger than the equivalent impact on a woman's wellbeing. In relation to previous findings in this field, the results make it clear that retirement is far from a uniform process or state.
Subject terms:
mental health, older people, quality of life, retirement, surveys, wellbeing;
Volunteering has been identified as a potential mechanism for improving the psychosocial health of older adults. Utilizing a randomized controlled trial approach, the present study assessed the extent to which commencing volunteering can improve psychosocial health outcomes for older people. Fully retired Australian adults aged 60+ years (N= 445) were assessed at baseline and allocated to either the intervention or control arms of the trial. Those in the intervention condition were asked to participate in at least 60 min of formal volunteering per week for 6 months. Per-protocol analyses were conducted comparing psychosocial outcomes for those who complied with the intervention condition (n= 73) to outcomes for those who complied with the control condition (n= 112). Those who complied with the intervention condition demonstrated significant improvements in life satisfaction, purpose in life, and personal growth scores over a 12-month period relative to those in the control condition who did no volunteering. Findings provide evidence of a causal relationship between commencing volunteering and improvements in psychosocial health among older adults and indicate that encouraging participation in this activity could constitute an effective healthy aging intervention.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Volunteering has been identified as a potential mechanism for improving the psychosocial health of older adults. Utilizing a randomized controlled trial approach, the present study assessed the extent to which commencing volunteering can improve psychosocial health outcomes for older people. Fully retired Australian adults aged 60+ years (N= 445) were assessed at baseline and allocated to either the intervention or control arms of the trial. Those in the intervention condition were asked to participate in at least 60 min of formal volunteering per week for 6 months. Per-protocol analyses were conducted comparing psychosocial outcomes for those who complied with the intervention condition (n= 73) to outcomes for those who complied with the control condition (n= 112). Those who complied with the intervention condition demonstrated significant improvements in life satisfaction, purpose in life, and personal growth scores over a 12-month period relative to those in the control condition who did no volunteering. Findings provide evidence of a causal relationship between commencing volunteering and improvements in psychosocial health among older adults and indicate that encouraging participation in this activity could constitute an effective healthy aging intervention.
(Edited publisher abstract)