Associations between depressive complaints and indicators of labour participation among older Dutch employees: a prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: European policy measures have led to an increased net labour participation of older employees. Yet, via different routes (for instance disability schemes) employees still often leave the labour market early. Mental health may be an important factor hindering labour participation. Aims of this study are twofold: first, to examine the relationship between mental health-particularly depressive complaints-and indicators of labour participation among older employees over a 2-year follow-up period and second, to explore the impact of different work contexts when studying this relation. METHODS: A subsample of older employees (aged > 45 years; n = 1253) from the Maastricht Cohort Study was studied. Depressive complaints were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale. Logistic and Cox regression analyses covered 2 years of follow-up and were also stratified for relevant work-related factors. RESULTS: Employees with mild depressive complaints showed statistically significantly higher risks for poor mental workability (HR 2.60, 95% CI 1.14-5.92) and high psychological disengagement levels (HR 2.35, 95% CI 1.21-4.57) over time compared to employees without depressive complaints. Within various work contexts, for instance in which employees perform physically demanding work or have high psychological job demands, significantly stronger associations were found between depressive complaints and poor mental workability over time. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows strong longitudinal associations between depressive complaints and indicators of labour participation, also within different work contexts over time. Results provide valuable input for developing preventive measure aiming to enhance sustainable labour participation of older employees.

Chronic conditions and self-perceived health among older employees in relation to indicators of labour participation and retirement over time.

BACKGROUND: A significant proportion of older employees leave the labour market early, amongst others via unemployment or disability benefits, implying that health might affect possibilities to extend working life. OBJECTIVE: This study 1) examined associations between chronic conditions (subtypes) and self-perceived health (SPH), independently, and indicators of labour participation and retirement over six-year follow-up among older employees, and 2) explored the impact of differences between prevalent and incident presence of chronic condition(s) in this relation. METHODS: Older workers (aged > 45 years) included in the Maastricht Cohort Study were studied (n = 1,763). The Health and Work Performance Questionnaire assessed chronic conditions and one item from the Short Form health survey-36 assessed SPH. Cox regression analyses assessed associations between chronic conditions and SPH, independently, and retirement intentions, employment status, decreasing working hours, and changes in work over time. RESULTS: Employees with coexistent physical-mental chronic conditions showed higher risks to lose employment and to receive a disability benefit (HR 1.85, 95% CI 1.23-2.78; HR 8.63, 95% CI 2.47-30.11) over time compared to healthy employees. No statistically significant associations were found between SPH and indicators of labour participation and retirement over time. Having chronic condition(s) was cross-sectionally associated with lower SPH scores and larger proportion of part-timers -compared to healthy employees. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic condition(s) among older employees were substantially associated with indicators of labour participation and retirement over time. The role of SPH was mainly instantaneous. Findings provide valuable input for preventive measures aiming to prevent an early labour market exit of older employees.