Social Capital and Unretirement: Exploring the Bonding, Bridging, and Linking Aspects of Social Relationships.

TitleSocial Capital and Unretirement: Exploring the Bonding, Bridging, and Linking Aspects of Social Relationships.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsGonzales, GErnest, Nowell, WBenjamin
JournalRes Aging
Volume39
Issue10
Pagination1100-1117
Date Published2017 12
ISSN Number1552-7573
KeywordsAged, Aged, 80 and over, Analysis of Variance, Cross-Sectional Studies, Employment, Female, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Retirement, Social capital, United States
Abstract

Working longer is an important area of research given extended life expectancy, shortfalls of retirement income, desires to remain socially engaged, and solvency concerns of social insurance programs. The purpose of this longitudinal population-based study of older adults is to examine how different types of social resources (social bonding, bridging, and linking) relate to returning to work after retirement. Data were drawn from the Health and Retirement Study of fully retired older adults aged 62+ in 1998 ( N = 8,334) and followed to 2008. After controlling for a comprehensive set of fixed and time-varying covariates, findings suggest that social bridging (informal volunteering) and social linking (formal volunteering, partnered with an employed spouse) were strongly and positively related to returning to work (Hazard Ratio [HR]: 1.49, p < .001; HR: 1.58, p < .0001; and HR: 1.75, p < .0001, respectively). Social bonding resources were not significantly associated with returning to work. Implications for social policy are discussed.

URLhttp://roa.sagepub.com/cgi/doi/10.1177/0164027516664569
DOI10.1177/0164027516664569
User Guide Notes

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27555547?dopt=Abstract

Short TitleResearch on Aging
Alternate JournalRes Aging
Citation Key8594
PubMed ID27555547