Mid-career work patterns and physical and mental functioning at age 60-64: evidence from the 1946 British birth cohort

Background: Previous studies of the associations between unemployment and health have primarily focused on mental health and long-term associations have not often been explored. This study investigated if discontinuous employment in mid-career was related to self-reported physical and mental functioning at age 60–64 years. Methods: Data come from the Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development, a British cohort that has been followed-up since birth in 1946. A total of 2061 study members had data available on mid-career employment patterns and physical and mental functioning assessed using the Short Form 36 questionnaire at age 60–64. Employment patterns in mid-career were categorized into: (i) continuous employment; and discontinuous employment during; (ii) early period (ages 36–43); (iii) late period (ages 43-53); and 4) both periods. Results: Continuous employment was reported by 63.3% of men and 38.7% of women, while 8.7% of men and 23.4% of women reported being in discontinuous employment during both early and late mid-career. When compared with those in continuous employment those in discontinuous employment during both early and late mid-career had poorer physical functioning, men adjusted β (difference in mean physical functioning T score) –3.84, 95% CI – 6.06 to – 1.63, P = 0.001 and women –3.62, 95% CI – 5.17 to – 2.08, P < 0.001. Findings were parallel but weaker for those in discontinuous employment during late mid-career. Discontinuous employment during both periods and particularly during late mid-career was associated with poorer mental functioning in early old age. Conclusions: Discontinuous employment during mid-career was associated with poorer self-reported physical and mental functioning around the age of retirement.

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