Does Working Status Affect the Mental Health Outcomes of Older Population: A Comparative Study Using Longitudinal Ageing Study in India

Poulomi Chowdhury, University of Canberra
Mausam Kumar Garg, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)

This study examines the impact of working status on mental health outcomes among older people in India, utilizing data from the first wave of the LASI. As India faces a growing older population and a limited formal social protection system, many older individuals continue working beyond retirement age. The research explores whether this continued employment influences the mental health outcomes. Bivariate and multivariate analyses, including logistic regression and propensity score matching (PSM), were used to assess the relationship between working status and mental health outcomes. Results show that continued work beyond retirement significantly lowers the risk of poor cognitive functioning (PCF) and depression. Working older people had a 3.7% lower risk of PCF and a 2.5% lower risk of depression compared to non-working peers. Additionally, factors such as education, wealth, and health behaviors correlated with the likelihood of post-retirement work. The study underscores the protective mental health benefits of late-life employment and advocates for policies promoting healthy and active ageing.

Keywords: Population Ageing, Health and Morbidity, Human Capital, Education, and Work, Comparative methods

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