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Impact of childhood and adulthood psychological health on labour force participation and exit in later life

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 February 2017

C. Clark ,
M. Smuk ,
D. Lain ,
S. A. Stansfeld ,
E. Carr ,
J. Head  and
S. Vickerstaff
C. Clark*
Affiliation:
Barts & the London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
M. Smuk
Affiliation:
Barts & the London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
D. Lain
Affiliation:
Brighton Business School, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK
S. A. Stansfeld
Affiliation:
Barts & the London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
E. Carr
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK
J. Head
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK
S. Vickerstaff
Affiliation:
School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
*
*Address for correspondence: C. Clark, Ph.D., Barts & the London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Background

Adulthood psychological health predicts labour force activity but few studies have examined childhood psychological health. We hypothesized that childhood psychological ill-health would be associated with labour force exit at 55 years.

Method

Data were from the 55-year follow-up of the National Child Development Study (n = 9137). Labour force participation and exit (unemployment, retirement, permanent sickness, homemaking/other) were self-reported at 55 years. Internalizing and externalizing problems in childhood (7, 11 and 16 years) and malaise in adulthood (23, 33, 42, 50 years) were assessed. Education, social class, periods of unemployment, partnership separations, number of children, and homemaking activity were measured throughout adulthood.

Results

Childhood internalizing and externalizing problems were associated with unemployment, permanent sickness and homemaking/other at 55 years, after adjustment for adulthood psychological health and education: one or two reports of internalizing was associated with increased risk for unemployment [relative risk (RR) 1.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12–2.25; RR 2.37, 95% CI 1.48–3.79] and permanent sickness (RR 1.32, 95% CI 1.00–1.74; RR, 1.48, 95% CI 1.00–2.17); three reports of externalizing was associated with increased risk for unemployment (RR 2.26, 95% CI 1.01–5.04), permanent sickness (RR 2.63, 95% CI 1.46–4.73) and homemaking/other (RR 1.95, 95% CI 1.00–3.78).

Conclusions

Psychological ill-health across the lifecourse, including during childhood, reduces the likelihood of working in older age. Support for those with mental health problems at different life stages and for those with limited connections to the labour market, including homemakers, is an essential dimension of attempts to extend working lives.

Keywords

Childhoodemploymentlabour forcelifecoursepsychological health
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 47 , Issue 9 , July 2017 , pp. 1597 - 1608
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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