Total work and health in later life: a life course study

Background and aim: Work is a fundamental activity in all societies. While employment is an essential means of economic growth and improved living standards, it is now widely accepted that appropriate employment also helps to create good health and is among the most important social determinants of health that contribute to health inequalities. Less is known, however about the health effects of other work activity alongside paid employment. The interplay between different forms of work – domestic, informal and paid – taken together is the ‘total work’ that could be remunerated for an individual. Total work varies between individuals, social groups and societies; it also evolves over time for individuals over their life courses. This study aims to enrich understanding of why work is important for health by considering life course experiences of total work positions. Data and methods: Data from two large-scale longitudinal studies are used to chart experiences of different forms of work from mid life to State Pension age, and their relationships with longevity, psychiatric morbidity and general health in later life. The association of labour market position and informal work at different points in adult lives are examined, and gender and socio-economic differences in these relationships considered.Findings and implications: Several normative patterns of labour market position are revealed demonstrating a consistent negative association between life course experiences where individuals would have less control over their total work. People who have relatively stable histories in paid employment have better health in later life and lower mortality risk. These histories are more common among people from more advantaged socio-economic groups and the findings are relevant for policies that aim to reduce health inequalities or increase labour market participation.Open Acces