TY - JOUR
T1 - Institutional and individual factors affecting health and employment for low-income women with chronic health conditions
AU - Carolan, Kelsi
AU - Gonzales, Ernest
AU - Lee, Kathy
AU - Harootyan, Robert A.
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by the Center for Innovation in Social Work & Health at Boston University; the Peter T. Paul Career Development Award (PI: E. Gonzales) at Boston University; Senior Service America, Inc. (PIs: E. Gonzales and R. Harootyan); and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities’ Loan Repayment Program (PI: E. Gonzales).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 The Author(s).
PY - 2020/4/16
Y1 - 2020/4/16
N2 - Objectives: This qualitative study explored risk and protective factors affecting employment and health among low-income older women with chronic health conditions or physical disabilities. Methods: The authors conducted a secondary data analysis of 14 intensive interviews with low-income older women with chronic health conditions who had participated in a federally funded training and employment program for workers aged 55 and older. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: The physical nature of the work and discrimination were risk factors, with unaccommodating work environments, ageism, and/or ableism, and internalized ageism identified as subthemes of discrimination. Protective factors, namely institutional supports (e.g., access to retraining, time management flexibility) enhanced health and self-confidence. Occupational demands matched with the capacity of the individual resulted in continued employment and improved health. Discussion: Working conditions can degrade health through exposure to mental and physical health risks, or support health through access to financial and interpersonal resources. Institutional supports such as workplace flexibility and retraining are crucial to obtaining a good fit between occupational demands and the capacity of individuals, enabling a positive relationship between employment and health. Legislation designed to prevent discrimination, enhance opportunities for lifelong learning, and encourage flexible work arrangements among low-income women with chronic health conditions may facilitate healthier working lives.
AB - Objectives: This qualitative study explored risk and protective factors affecting employment and health among low-income older women with chronic health conditions or physical disabilities. Methods: The authors conducted a secondary data analysis of 14 intensive interviews with low-income older women with chronic health conditions who had participated in a federally funded training and employment program for workers aged 55 and older. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: The physical nature of the work and discrimination were risk factors, with unaccommodating work environments, ageism, and/or ableism, and internalized ageism identified as subthemes of discrimination. Protective factors, namely institutional supports (e.g., access to retraining, time management flexibility) enhanced health and self-confidence. Occupational demands matched with the capacity of the individual resulted in continued employment and improved health. Discussion: Working conditions can degrade health through exposure to mental and physical health risks, or support health through access to financial and interpersonal resources. Institutional supports such as workplace flexibility and retraining are crucial to obtaining a good fit between occupational demands and the capacity of individuals, enabling a positive relationship between employment and health. Legislation designed to prevent discrimination, enhance opportunities for lifelong learning, and encourage flexible work arrangements among low-income women with chronic health conditions may facilitate healthier working lives.
KW - Ageism
KW - Chronic disease
KW - Disability
KW - Flexible work
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U2 - 10.1093/geronb/gby149
DO - 10.1093/geronb/gby149
M3 - Article
C2 - 30566614
AN - SCOPUS:85083631891
SN - 1079-5014
VL - 75
SP - 1062
EP - 1071
JO - Journals of Gerontology - Series B Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
JF - Journals of Gerontology - Series B Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
IS - 5
ER -