Conference Papers

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Browsing Conference Papers by Author "Allen, J"

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    Does physical functioning decline after retirement? a longitudinal investigation from 2006 to 2016
    (Oxford University Press, 12/07/2017) Szabo, A; Allen, J; Stephens, C; Alpass, F
    The impact of retirement on physical health is an important focus of ageing research. However, research findings are inconclusive. To understand for whom and under what conditions retirement presents health benefits, the present study investigated physical functioning pre- and post-retirement. Using 10-year longitudinal data from the New Zealand Health, Work, & Retirement Study, multiple linear trajectories of physical functioning were estimated. Growth mixture analysis indicated three distinct trajectory profiles. Profile 1 displayed good physical functioning at baseline, which steeply declined until retirement, and continued to decline post-retirement but at a slower rate. Profile 2 was characterized by poor and declining physical functioning pre-retirement. Post-retirement, however, this group reported improvements in physical functioning. Finally, profile 3 displayed good and stable physical functioning pre-retirement and a slow decline post-retirement. Significant differences were identified across profiles in socio-demographic variables. Participants in Profile 1 had the lowest qualification level, medium SES and the highest retirement age. Profile 2 consisted of physical labourers who had a very low SES and numerous chronic illnesses. Members of Profile 3 were highly educated individuals with high SES and a professional occupation prior to retiring. Economic living standards increased post-retirement in all groups. However, the increase in Profile 2 was twice as large compared to the other two groups - an effect that could be attributed to New Zealand’s universal superannuation. In sum, findings indicate that retirement is beneficial for those with poor health and limited resources. For the wealthy and healthy, retirement does not necessarily present health advantages.
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    INFORMAL CAREGIVING AND HEALTH: LONGITUDINAL FINDINGS FROM THE HEALTH, WORK, AND RETIREMENT STUDY
    (12/07/2017) Alpass, F; Szabo, A; Allen, J; Stephens, C
    The present longitudinal study investigated changes in the mental and physical health of older caregivers over a 6-year period. Differences between patterns of caregiving were also examined. Data were collected in 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014 from a sample of older New Zealanders (N= 803, 54% female) aged between 56 and 72 as part of the Health, Work, and Retirement study. Of participants, n= 258 were caregivers and n= 545 never provided care. Females were more likely to be caregivers. Analyses indicated that mental health declined over time for both caregiver and non-caregiver groups with the decrease being substantially larger for caregivers. There was also a gender effect suggesting that male caregivers’ mental health declined to a greater extent. Non-caregivers reported more doctor visits over time and hospital admission increased for both groups but this increase was larger for caregivers. Male caregivers were admitted to hospital more often than female caregivers. Analyses were conducted to differentiate among different patterns of caregiving over the 6 year period (continued caring, stopped caring, on-and-off caring). There was no difference between caregiving groups in terms of gender, age, smoking and drinking behaviour. However, on-and-off carers had poorer mental health than those who provided care continuously. In sum, caregivers experienced more mental health problems over time, visited their doctors less but were more likely to be admitted to hospital. Male caregivers were more vulnerable to health decline. Furthermore, transitioning in and out of the caregiver role had a negative impact on wellbeing.