Job Transition, Bridge Work and their Effects on Health Outcomes

Using data from wave 1 and wave 2 of the Health and Retirement Study, this dissertation has two main objectives: 1) to investigate how experiencing job transition events when full-time workers are in their 50s shapes entry into bridge employment, and 2) to explore the effect of experiencing job transition events and the effect of participation in bridge work on health outcomes over time. Job transition events may be involuntary, voluntary, or health-related. Although involuntary events have been associated with adverse economic consequences and negative effects on health, many events are voluntary but their effects have not previously been explored. For workers in their 50s, findings from this study suggest entry into bridge employment is less likely after voluntary events than after involuntary events. However, experiencing any type of event significantly increases the risk of negative health outcomes over time. The key finding suggests engaging in bridge employment will have a moderating effect significantly increasing the likelihood of better self-rated health and mental health outcomes over time. During the early decades of the 21st century, economic factors and an aging workforce will increase interest in bridge employment among older workers. While some individuals will exit career jobs and move into bridge employment by default, many others will gradually transition from work to retirement by making a voluntary shift from career jobs to bridge jobs. Still others who previously left the workforce will seek to reenter in bridge jobs. Bridge employment can provide economic, social and psychological benefits for workers, as well as benefits for employers and society. However, there are public policy and employer practices that present obstacles to the growth of bridge employment.

Bridge Jobs

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