Trajectories of perceived workplace age discrimination and long-term associations with mental, self-rated, and occupational health

Objective: This study addresses older employees’ trajectories of perceived workplace age discrimination, and the long-term associations among perceived age discrimination and older workers’ mental and self-rated health, job satisfaction, and likelihood of working past retirement age. We evaluate the strength and vulnerability integration (SAVI) model. Method: Three waves of data from employed participants were drawn from the Health and Retirement Study (N = 3,957). Latent growth modeling was used to assess relationships between the slopes and the intercepts of the variables, thereby assessing longitudinal and cross-sectional associations. Results: Perceived workplace age discrimination tends to increase with age, although notable variance exists. The initial status of perceived age discrimination relates to the baseline statuses of depression, self-rated health, job satisfaction, and likelihood of working past retirement age in the expected directions. Over time, perceived age discrimination predicts lower job satisfaction and self-rated health, as well as elevated depressive symptoms, but not likelihood of working past retirement age. Discussion: This study provides empirical support for the SAVI model and uncovers the “wear and tear” effects of perceived workplace age discrimination on older workers’ mental and overall health. We deliberate on social policies that May reduce age discrimination, thereby promoting older employees’ health and ability to work longer.