%0 Journal Article %J J Occup Environ Med %D 2017 %T Honest Labor Bears a Lovely Face: Will Late-Life Unemployment Impact Health and Satisfaction in Retirement? %A Maren W Voss %A Wendy Church Birmingham %A Lori Wadsworth %A Wei Chen %A Bounsanga, Jerry %A Gu, Yushan %A Hung, Man %K Age Factors %K Aged %K Chronic disease %K depression %K Female %K Health Status %K Health Surveys %K Humans %K Male %K Mental Health %K Middle Aged %K Personal Satisfaction %K Retirement %K Unemployment %K United States %K Work %X

OBJECTIVE: Unemployment among older adults during recessionary cycles has been tied to early retirement decisions and negative health outcomes. This study explored episodes of unemployment experienced between age 50 and retirement as predictors of retirement age and health outcomes.

METHODS: A total of 1540 participants from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study aged 50 years and older who transitioned from workforce to retirement were analyzed with descriptive statistics and multiple regression controlling for unemployment, demographics, and health status.

RESULTS: Late-life unemployment significantly related to earlier retirement age and lowered life satisfaction, independent of income effects. We found no main effect for late-life unemployment on physical health status.

CONCLUSIONS: Potential improvements in future life satisfaction might be gained if job search obstacles are removed for older unemployed adults, reducing reliance on involuntary early retirement as an income source.

%B J Occup Environ Med %V 59 %P 184-190 %8 2017 02 %G eng %U http://content.wkhealth.com/linkback/openurl?sid=WKPTLP:landingpage&an=00043764-900000000-98945 %N 2 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28002355?dopt=Abstract %! Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine %R 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000933 %0 Journal Article %J Psychol Health Med %D 2017 %T The relationship between family support; pain and depression in elderly with arthritis. %A Hung, Man %A Bounsanga, Jerry %A Maren W Voss %A Anthony B. Crum %A Wei Chen %A Wendy Church Birmingham %K Aged %K Aged, 80 and over %K Aging %K Arthralgia %K Arthritis %K depression %K Family %K Female %K Humans %K Male %K Middle Aged %K Social Support %K United States %X

The prevalence and chronic nature of arthritis make it the most common cause of disability among U.S.A adults. Family support reduces the negative impact of chronic conditions generally but its role in pain and depression for arthritic conditions is not well understood. A total of 844 males (35.0%) and 1567 females (65.0%) with arthritic conditions (n = 2411) were drawn from the 2012 Health and Retirement Study to examine the effect of family support on pain and depressive symptoms. Using regression analysis and controlling for age, ethnicity, gender, marital/educational status and employment/income, physical function/disability status, pain and antidepressant medications, and other clinical indicators of chronic health conditions, we examined the effects of family support (spouse, children, other) on pain and depression levels. Results indicated that depressive symptoms decreased significantly with strong family and spousal support (p < .05). Pain decreased as support levels increased, but was non-statistically significant. This study provides new insights into the relationship between family support, pain, and depression for individuals with arthritis. Future longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate family support and relationships over a wider spectrum of demographics.

%B Psychol Health Med %V 22 %P 75-86 %8 2017 01 %G eng %U https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27427504 %N 1 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27427504?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1080/13548506.2016.1211293