Longitudinal associations of experiences of adversity and socioeconomic disadvantage during childhood with labour force participation and exit in later adulthood

Abstract

The Extending Working Lives (EWL) agenda seeks to sustain employment up to and beyond traditional retirement ages. This study examined the potential role of childhood factors in shaping labour force participation and exit among older adults, with a view to informing proactive interventions early in the life-course to enhance indivi C and socioeconomic disadvantage have previously been linked to ill-health across the life-span and sickness benefit in early adulthood. This study builds upon previous research by examining associations between childhood adversity and self-reported labour force participation among older adults (aged 55).Data was from the National Child Development Study a prospective cohort of all English, Scottish, & Welsh births in one week in 1958. There was evidence for associations between childhood adversity and increased risk of permanent sickness at 55 years which were largely sustained after adjustment for educational disengagement and adulthood factors (mental/physical health, qualifications, socioeconomic disadvantage). Specifically, children who were abused or neglected were more likely to be permanently sick at 55 years. In addition, among males, those in care, those experiencing illness in the home, and those experiencing two or more childhood adversities were more likely to be permanently sick at 55 years. Childhood factors were also associated with part-time employment and retirement at 55 years. Severe childhood adversities may represent important distal predictors of labour force exit at 55 years, particularly via permanent sickness. Notably, some adversities show associations among males only, which may inform interventions designed to extend working lives.

Working and disability expectancies at old ages: the role of childhood circumstances and education

“…Following the abundant literature on the influence of childhood health and circumstances on adult health and mortality, a growing number of studies have investigated the relationship between childhood adversities and labor market outcomes (Fahy et al 2017;Haas et al 2011;Harkonmäki et al 2007;Johnson and Schoeni 2011). In these studies, the concurrent health and mortality processes are commonly not part of the analyses.…”

“…In this study, childhood adversities refer to disadvantages and stressors related to family background, experienced during childhood. Negative experiences affecting the psychological sphere, the material conditions, health, and in extreme cases episodes of physical abuse and violence, can materialize as health problems and limited participation, or scarce placement, in the labor market later in life (Case et al 2005;Fahy et al 2017;Haas et al 2011;Smith 2009). The association is stronger for some experiences that thus can be more detrimental than others; however, it is the combination of more than one harmful exposure that seems to result in particularly adverse outcomes (Montez and Hayward 2014).…”

Working and disability expectancies at old ages: the role of childhood circumstances and education

“…Following the abundant literature on the influence of childhood health and circumstances on adult health and mortality, a growing number of studies have investigated the relationship between childhood adversities and labor market outcomes (Fahy et al 2017;Haas et al 2011;Harkonmäki et al 2007;Johnson and Schoeni 2011). In these studies, the concurrent health and mortality processes are commonly Shorter working lives are paired with longer period out of work with health problems.…”

“…In this study, childhood adversities refer to disadvantages and stressors related to family background, experienced during childhood. Negative experiences affecting the psychological sphere, the material conditions, health, and in extreme cases episodes of physical abuse and violence, can materialize as health problems and limited participation, or scarce placement, in the labor market later in life (Case et al 2005;Fahy et al 2017;Haas et al 2011;Smith 2009). The association is stronger for some experiences that thus can be more detrimental than others; however, it is the combination of more than one harmful exposure that seems to result in particularly adverse outcomes (Montez and Hayward 2014).…”

“…Within-family conflicts create vulnerabilities that are associated to deficiencies in emotional processing and social competences (Repetti et al 2002), triggering negative consequences for the management of decision-making and lack of motivation in pursuing objectives (Pechtel and Pizzagalli 2011). Such exposures affect multiple aspects of mental health and cognitive functioning, which are fundamental prerequisites for labor force participation (Fahy et al 2017). Adverse experiences during childhood set in motion a developmental process that may negatively affect individuals during their whole lives.…”