Work Expectation and Psychological Stress During the Great Recession: The Role of Late-Life Employment Transitions
2024

Work Expectations and Psychological Stress During the Great Recession

Sample size: 4140 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Dang Linh, Antonucci Toni, Gonzalez Richard, Clarke Philippa, de Leon Carlos Mendes, Mezuk Briana

Primary Institution: University of Michigan

Hypothesis

Perceived uncertainty about future employment negatively affects the mental health of older adults.

Conclusion

Higher work expectations are linked to lower psychological stress among older adults during economic crises, with variations between the US and South Korea.

Supporting Evidence

  • Higher work expectations were associated with lower odds of psychological stress during the recession.
  • The association between work expectations and stress was more pronounced during the recovery in Korea.
  • Among those who transitioned to self-employment, higher expectations were linked to higher odds of stress in the US.

Takeaway

When older people think they will have a job in the future, they feel less stressed, especially during tough economic times.

Methodology

The study used data from the Health and Retirement Study and the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, analyzing employment transitions and psychological stress.

Participant Demographics

Baby Boomers in the US and South Korea.

Statistical Information

Confidence Interval

[0.89, 0.98]

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.1663

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