Citation

Nilsen C, Andel R, Agahi N, Fritzell J, Kåreholt I. Scand. J. Public Health 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Institute of Gerontology, School of Health and Welfare, Aging Research Network - Jönköping (ARN-J), Jönköping University, Sweden.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Associations of Public Health in the Nordic Countries Regions, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1403494820901404

PMID

32031469

Abstract

Aims: Leisure activity helps people engage with life, and it promotes health and well-being as we age. This study investigated whether individuals with active jobs (high psychological demands, high control) in mid-life were more active during leisure time in old age compared with those with less active jobs. Methods: Two individually linked Swedish surveys were used (N=776) with 23 years of follow-up. Data were analysed with logistic regression. Results: Having an active job in mid-life was associated with greater engagement in intellectual/cultural, social and physical activity in old age, even when leisure activity in mid-life was taken into account. Conclusions: The results suggest that active jobs in mid-life may be replaced by active leisure during retirement. Active job conditions may promote engagement in society in old age, which in turn may have positive health consequences.

Language: en

Keywords

Psychosocial working conditions; Sweden; active aging; active jobs; continuity; leisure activity; longitudinal; old age