The association between later life career disruption and self-rated health in older Canadian workers (aged 45-64)

grantor: University of TorontoThe contemporary workplace is witnessing a marked increase in older workers leaving career-type labour force participation, a phenomenon here termed later life career disruption (LLCD). As 'baby boomers' age into later life, stress from career instability is expected to become an increasingly significant issue with consequent impact on health. Little research to date has investigated the relationship of LLCD and health in Canada. This study, using existing data from the 1994 General Social Survey (GSS) - Cycle 9, was designed to profile work patterns of both female and male older workers in Canada and to investigate the association between LLCD and self-rated health. A sample of 2,592 subjects aged 45-64 years was selected from the GSS for analysis. Eligible subjects were those who had worked full-time/part-time at some time in their lives. Results showed that a large proportion of older Canadian workers had experienced LLCD. In multivariate analysis, controlling for age, education, body mass index and activity limitation, being not employed or early retired was found to be significantly associated with poor self-rated health, as were experience of job loss and job interruption over the prior five year period. Number of months worked was significantly related to good self-rated health but no significant association was found between self-rated health and total number of jobs held or change in occupational status.M.Sc