DOCUMENTING THE VULNERABILITIES OF SELF-EMPLOYED OLDER ADULTS: AN EXAMPLE FROM THE PANDEMIC
2024

Vulnerabilities of Self-Employed Older Adults During the Pandemic

Sample size: 9000 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Halvorsen Cal, Matz Christina, Lopez Bruna

Primary Institution: Washington University in St. Louis

Hypothesis

How did self-employment affect older workers' financial and health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Conclusion

Self-employed older adults faced worse financial difficulties and health problems during the pandemic compared to those working for someone else.

Supporting Evidence

  • Self-employment is linked with both positive and negative outcomes for older workers.
  • The study analyzed data from over 9,000 older Americans.
  • Self-employed individuals had higher odds of financial difficulties during the pandemic.

Takeaway

Older people who work for themselves had a harder time during the pandemic than those who worked for someone else.

Methodology

Analyzed data from the 2020 Health and Retirement Study and the 2021 HRS Perspectives on the Pandemic survey using multivariable logistic regressions.

Participant Demographics

Americans ages 50 and older.

Statistical Information

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.1852

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