ObjectivesThe demographic shift towards an aging society has made it important to understand underlying life course trajectories of later life health and function. The aim was to investigate if psychosocial working conditions are associated with later life physical function.MethodTwo individually linked longitudinal Swedish surveys were used (n=803). A psychosocial job exposure matrix was used to measure psychosocial working conditions in the first occupation and at ages 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 - based on work history - and current occupation at baseline (1991). Physical function was measured in 2014. Random effects growth curve models were used to calculate within-person change. Random effects growth curve models were used to calculate intraindividual trajectories of working conditions, analyzed in relation to functional impairment with ordered logistic regression.ResultsHaving a more active job at baseline was associated with decreased odds of functional impairment in old age (OR 0.87, CI 0.76–0.99). Having a more high strain job at baseline was associated with increased odds of functional impairment in old age (OR 1.33, CI 1.04–1.70). Having a high starting point and upward trajectory of job strain throughout working life were associated with increased odds of functional impairment in old age (OR 3.16, CI 1.73–5.80).DiscussionPromoting a healthy workplace by reducing chronic stress and inducing intellectual stimulation, control, and personal growth, may not only improve the health of workers. It may also lower the cost of health and social care by improving health and function of the older population. Hence, investing in a healthy workplace should be seen as a double-win investment for society.
A Bayesian sensitivity analysis of the effect of different random effects distributions on growth curve models