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Mental health functioning (SF-36) and intentions to retire early among ageing municipal employees: The Helsinki Health Study

Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland, karoliina.harkonmaki@ helsinki.fi

Eero Lahelma

Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland

Pekka Martikainen

Department of Sociology, University of Helsinki, Finland

Ossi Rahkonen

Department of Social Policy, University of Helsinki, Finland

Karri Silventoinen

Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland

Aims: To examine the associations of mental health functioning with intentions to retire early among ageing municipal employees. Methods: Cross-sectional survey data (n=7,765) from the Helsinki Health Study in 2000, 2001, and 2002 were used. Intentions to retire early were sought with a question: ``Have you considered retiring before normal retirement age?'' The dependent variable was divided into three categories: 1=no intentions to retire early; 2=weak intentions; 3=strong intentions. Mental health functioning was measured by the Short Form 36 (SF-36) mental component summary (MCS). Other variables included age, sex, physical health functioning (SF-36), limiting longstanding illness, socioeconomic status, and spouse's employment status. Multinomial regression analysis was used to examine the association of mental health functioning with intentions to retire early. Results: Employees with the poorest mental health functioning were much more likely to report strong intentions to retire early (OR 6.09, 95% CI 4.97—7.47) than those with the best mental health functioning. Adjustments for physical health, socioeconomic status, and spouse's employment status did not substantially affect this association. Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of mental health for intentions to retire early. Strategies aimed at keeping people at work for longer should emphasize the importance of mental well-being and the prevention of poor mental health. More evidence is needed on why mental problems among ageing baby-boomer employees are giving rise to increasing social consequences, although the overall prevalence of mental problems has not increased.

Key Words: Ageing employees • early retirement intentions • SF-36 mental and physical health functioning • socioeconomic status

Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, Vol. 34, No. 2, 190-198 (2006)
DOI: 10.1080/14034940510032419


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