Analysis of the 2002 National Study of the Changing Workforce to identify factors that explain variation in the life satisfaction of older workers.
key research question
- What factors explain the variation in life satisfaction among older workers?
selected findings
In 2002, among US workers aged 50 or older:
- 16% had a graduate or professional degree.
- 79% reported that they are in good or excellent physical health.
- 82% had health insurance paid in part/entirely by their employers.
- 72% have employers who contribute to pension/retirement plans.
- 19% have a high level of access to flexible work arrangements.
In 2002, among US workers aged 50 or older, the odds of being very satisfied in life are:
- 61% higher for those who have a high level of flexibility at the workplace.
- 66% higher for females than for males.
- 177% higher for those in good or excellent health than those in poor or fair health.
- 145% higher for those living with spouses/partners than for those in other living arrangements.
In 2002, among US workers aged 50 or older:
- 22% of workers reporting they have “extra money after their monthly expenses” have high level of flexibility at the workplace in comparison to the 14 percent of those who do not have “extra money after their monthly expenses”.
publications
- Issue Brief 13: "Quality of Employment and Life Satisfaction: A Relationship that Matters for Older Workers" (March 2008)
by Jessica K. M. Johnson, Marcie Pitt-Catsouphes, Elyssa Besen, Michael A. Smyer, and Christina Matz-Costa
contact
For questions of information regarding the Older Workers and Life Satisfaction project, or to schedule a conversation with any of the Center’s team, please contact:
617-552-9195 | agework@bc.edu
the older workers and life satisfaction project team
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Elyssa Besen Doctoral Research Assistant Sloan Center on Aging & Work, Boston College Doctoral Student Lynch School of Education, Boston College |
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| Jessica K. McCabe Johnson, MSW, MPA Research Assistant Sloan Center on Aging & Work, Boston College Doctoral Student Graduate School of Social Work, Boston College |
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Christina Matz-Costa, MSW, PhD Associate Director of Research Sloan Center on Aging & Work, Boston College |
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Marcie Pitt-Catsouphes, PhD Director Sloan Center on Aging & Work, Boston College Associate Professor Graduate School of Social Work & Carroll School of Management, Boston College |
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Michael Smyer, PhD Provost Bucknell University Research Fellow Sloan Center on Aging & Work, Boston College |
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