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Employment Transitions and Mental Health in a Cohort of 45 Years and Older Australians

Author

Listed:
  • Vikas Arya

    (Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2571, Australia)

  • Sandro Sperandei

    (Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2571, Australia)

  • Matthew J. Spittal

    (Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia)

  • Andrew Page

    (Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2571, Australia)

Abstract

Background: This study investigated the associations between employment transitions and psychological distress among a cohort of 45 years and older Australians. Methods: This study was based on the 45 and Up Study, a large prospective cohort of participants aged 45 years and older (N = 267,153), followed up over the period 2006–2015. The risk of psychological distress was compared between various employment transitions categories by specifying an ordered logistic regression model adjusting for confounders. Results: Compared to participants who remained employed at baseline and follow-up, higher psychological distress was found among those who transitioned from being employed to unemployed (OR = 2.68, 95%CI 2.13–3.33) and to not being in the labour force or retired (OR = 2.21, 95%CI 1.85–2.62). Higher psychological distress was also evident among those who remained unemployed from baseline to follow-up (OR = 2.00, 95%CI 1.10–3.43), and those who transitioned from being retired to being unemployed (OR = 1.55, 95%CI 1.03–2.27). Conversely, lower psychological distress was found among those who transitioned from being unemployed to being employed (OR = 0.35, 95%CI 0.25–0.51). In general, lower psychological distress was found among ‘positive’ employment transitions (transitioning to being employed or retired). Conclusions: Policies focussing on re-employment in older age, as well as unemployment schemes, might be helpful in reducing psychological distress among middle- and old-age Australians.

Suggested Citation

  • Vikas Arya & Sandro Sperandei & Matthew J. Spittal & Andrew Page, 2021. "Employment Transitions and Mental Health in a Cohort of 45 Years and Older Australians," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-9, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:17:p:9030-:d:623135
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Goldsmith, Arthur H. & Veum, Jonathan R. & William Darity, Jr., 1996. "The impact of labor force history on self-esteem and its component parts, anxiety, alienation and depression," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 17(2), pages 183-220, April.
    2. Allison Milner & Andrew Page & Anthony D LaMontagne, 2013. "Long-Term Unemployment and Suicide: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(1), pages 1-6, January.
    3. Fergusson, David M. & John Horwood, L. & Woodward, Lianne J., 2001. "Unemployment and psychosocial adjustment in young adults: causation or selection?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 53(3), pages 305-320, August.
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    1. Israel Escudero-Castillo & Fco. Javier Mato-Díaz & Ana Rodríguez-Alvarez, 2023. "Psychological Well-Being during the COVID-19 Lockdown: Labour Market and Gender Implications," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 18(1), pages 71-91, February.

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