Sustained health in working life among an aging population and an aging working force

• Background. A crucial factor for social sustainability is equal health and social justice. With an aging population andincreased expectations on senior workers to prolong their working life, research focusing on sustainable working life incombination with healthy aging is needed.Purpose. To explore factors related to and experiences of prolonging working life after the expected retirement age of65 among Swedish people.Methods. Cross-sectional and longitudinal data were used to assess associations with participation in working life atages 66 and 72. Additionally, qualitative data, based on 18 individual semi-structured interviews with workers 67–90years were used to gain an extended understanding of incentives for prolonged working life.Findings. Male gender and profession were associated with participating in working life at age 72, additionally, fewerdiagnosed diseases and a light level of physical activity at work at 66. Senior workers described that workingcontributed to sustained internal and external resources, added meaningfulness to life and flexible working conditionsenabled a satisfying balance between work and leisure. Altogether, these different aspects of working life wereinterpreted as contributing to increased feelings of vitality, the innermost dimension of health.Conclusion. Regardless of biological age, being able to remain active in working life can be beneficial to vitality.Actions to provide flexible working conditions, especially for disadvantaged senior workers, may facilitate working lifeafter the expected retirement age with extended equality.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Sociologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Sociology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

extended working life

multidimensional health

older workers

Health-Promoting Work

Hälsofrämjande arbete

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

kon (ämneskategori)