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Age at Work, Well-Being, and COVID-Related Challenges

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Aging".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 53561

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Sara Zaniboni

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Guest Editor

Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy
Interests: diversity management; age at work; retirement process; work integration of people with mental disabilities; job characteristics; job design; occupational health

Dr. Cristian Balducci

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Assistant Guest Editor

Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Interests: workplace bullying; mobbing; workaholism; work addiction; work engagement; work-related stress; psychosocial factors at work; counterproductive work behavior
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Dave Cadiz

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Assistant Guest Editor

The School of Business, Portland State University, Portland, OR 97207-0751, USA
Interests: age at work; workability; behavioral health at work; workplace diversity; occupational health and safety; employee training and development; work engagement and burnout

Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

In recent years, the workforce has been becoming more age-diverse. Societies are facing the challenge of successfully managing the increased age diversity of the workforce: keeping older people healthy, productive and motivated at work, and helping younger people to enter the job market. Moreover, with the COVID pandemic, new challenges have arisen, and effective strategies need to be put in place to counteract the potential negative effects for workers, organizations, and societies. Therefore, a better understanding of the different key aspects at multiple levels (e.g., individual, work, and organizational) is important for integrating and developing workers throughout their lifespan, in particular, in a time that is facing major economic and societal changes.

The main aim of the present Special Issue is to strengthen the available evidence related to aging at work. We encourage authors to submit both qualitative and quantitative studies, and investigations adopting an interdisciplinary perspective. Contributions adopting different methodologies are welcome, such as (but not limited to) large-scale cross-sectional investigations, longitudinal studies, and diary studies.

Potential questions that may be addressed by contributions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

What are the main challenges that workers of different ages may face/have faced during the COVID pandemic?
Which interventions and policies can support people’s ability and motivation to work effectively and their well-being across the lifespan?
How can the risk of physical and psychological disability for older workers be prevented?

What are the key personal/individual factors related to successful and healthy aging at work, and how do these factors interact with characteristics of the work environment?

How is technology impacting workers of different ages? Under which conditions can technology become an obstacle for older workers or, conversely, allow a longer and healthier working life?
Which factors promote healthy and productive integration within an age-diverse team?
What are the key aspects that facilitate a positive age climate and reduce workplace age stereotypes and discrimination?

How can successful and healthy retirement preparation/transition/adaptation be supported?

It is suggested that a short description of the study is sent in advance to the Special Issue’s guest editor: [email protected].

Dr. Sara Zaniboni
Dr. Cristian Balducci
Dr. Dave Cadiz
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

age diversity
older workers
successful aging at work and at retirement
well-being-related aspects

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 1409 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Aging and Burnout for Nurses in an Acute Care Setting: The First Wave of COVID-19

by Margaret E. Beier, Mona Cockerham, Sandy Branson and Lisa Boss

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(8), 5565; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20085565 - 18 Apr 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2417

Abstract

We examined the relationship between age, coping, and burnout during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic with nurses in Texas (N = 376). Nurses were recruited through a professional association and snowball sampling methodology for the cross-sectional survey study. Framed in lifespan development theories, we expected that nurse age and experience would be positively correlated with positive coping strategies (e.g., getting emotional support from others) and negatively correlated with negative coping strategies (e.g., drinking and drug use). We also expected age to be negatively related to the emotional exhaustion and depersonalization facets of burnout and positively related to the personal accomplishment facet of burnout. Findings were largely supported in that age was positively associated with positive coping and personal accomplishment and age and experience were negatively correlated with negative coping and depersonalization. Age was not, however, associated with emotional exhaustion. Mediation models further suggest that coping explains some of the effect of age on burnout. A theoretical extension of lifespan development models into an extreme environment and practical implications for coping in these environments are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Age at Work, Well-Being, and COVID-Related Challenges)

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13 pages, 782 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Older Worker-Orientated Human Resource Practices, Wellbeing and Leave Intentions: A Conservation of Resources Approach for Ageing Workforces

by Ben Farr-Wharton, Tim Bentley, Leigh-ann Onnis, Carlo Caponecchia, Abilio De Almeida Neto, Sharron O’Neill and Catherine Andrew

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2725; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032725 - 3 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2684

Abstract

At a time where there are ageing populations, global shortages of skilled labour, and migration pathways impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, retaining older workers presents as a vital strategic initiative for organizations globally. This study examines the role of Human Resource Practices (HRPs), which are oriented towards accommodating the needs of an ageing workforce in mitigating psychological distress and turnover intentions. The study collected self-reported survey data from 300 Australian employees over the age of 45, over two time points. Using structural equation modelling, the study analyzed the extent to which Older Worker-oriented Human Resources Practices (OW-HRPs) translate into employee psychological health and retention within organizations, through the mediation of ageism and work–life conflict. The results support our hypothesis that OW-HRPs are associated with lower ageism, better work–life balance; and in combination these reduce psychological distress and help retain older workers in the workforce. We conclude that OW-HRPs can foster work environments conducive to older worker wellbeing, supporting the retention of talent and maintaining effectiveness, in the face of substantial labour supply challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and an ageing population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Age at Work, Well-Being, and COVID-Related Challenges)

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22 pages, 1388 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Teacher Competence in Online Teaching on Perceived Online Learning Outcomes during the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Moderated-Mediation Model of Teacher Resilience and Age

by Yue Liu, Li Zhao and Yu-Sheng Su

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(10), 6282; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19106282 - 22 May 2022

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 5553

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers had to conduct online classes because of the breakdown of school learning. Teacher competence has a great impact on the students’ learning outcomes in online learning. Teacher resilience is also important to help teachers survive and achieve a high level of well-being in emergency situations. Previous studies have explored the protective and risk factors of teacher resilience, among which teacher competence in various aspects is included. In addition, teachers’ age differences in competence and resilience have been the focus of past studies. However, few studies have investigated the impact of teacher competence on students’ online learning outcomes, the mediating role of teacher resilience, and the moderating effect of age when teachers participate in emergent online teaching. To address the above gap, this study explored teachers’ perceptions of students’ online learning outcomes and how teacher competence in online teaching and resilience can predict these outcomes. The data of 159,203 participants were collected and subjected to correlation analyses and a moderated-mediation effect test. The results indicated that (1) teacher competence in online teaching was positively related to perceived online learning outcomes; (2) teacher resilience was positively related to the teachers’ perceived online learning outcomes; (3) teacher resilience played a partial mediating role between teacher competence in online teaching and perceived online learning outcomes; and (4) teachers’ age moderated the direct and indirect relation between teacher competence in online teaching and perceived online learning outcomes. The findings imply that teachers should strengthen their own teaching competence and their resilience before conducting online teaching. In addition, this study proposes intervention strategies to enhance teachers’ resilience and well-being through teacher competence cultivation and provides suggestions for different age levels of teachers to develop and train their online teaching competence and resilience in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Age at Work, Well-Being, and COVID-Related Challenges)

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11 pages, 382 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Age Diversity Climate Affecting Individual-Level Work-Related Outcomes

by Lara Bellotti, Sara Zaniboni, Cristian Balducci, Luca Menghini, David M. Cadiz and Stefano Toderi

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(5), 3041; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19053041 - 4 Mar 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3522

Abstract

The present study answers the call for more studies to investigate the age diversity climate’s effect on individual-level outcomes. Building on the social identity approach and social exchange theory, we surveyed 110 Italian employees aged between 18 and 61 years old (M = 46.10, SD = 10.02) and investigated the role of age diversity climate in predicting intentions to quit (H1), job-related wellbeing (H2), and work engagement (H3). Our findings confirmed the hypotheses (H1 and H2), showing the added effect of age diversity climate over and above age, job tenure, role clarity, job demands, job control, perceived support, and perceived job and organizational fit. In fact, age diversity climate accounted for a significant increase in the variance explained for two of the three hypothesized models (i.e., intentions to quit and job-related wellbeing, but not work engagement). To conclude, this study contributes to the existing literature by showing the age diversity climate’s predictive value for turnover intentions and job-related wellbeing, and corroborating the importance of supporting age diversity through a variety of Human Resources Management strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Age at Work, Well-Being, and COVID-Related Challenges)

21 pages, 607 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Resilience during Crisis and the Role of Age: Involuntary Telework during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Susanne Scheibe, Jessica De Bloom and Ton Modderman

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(3), 1762; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031762 - 4 Feb 2022

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 6469

Abstract

We investigated the relationship between age, resilience, job demands and resources, and self-regulation in 1715 university employees during the COVID-19 pandemic (February 2021) by means of an online survey with closed and open questions. Correlation, regression, and qualitative analyses showed that older employees reported higher resilience than younger employees. This finding was robust after controlling for background factors (i.e., gender, expat status, job type, living alone). Age and resilience were directly related to higher job resources (i.e., job security and equipment), work–life balance, and seeing positives, whereas the relationship to demands was ambiguous. Age was unrelated to workload, negatively related to childcare, and positively to eldercare. Resilience was negatively related to workload but unrelated to childcare or eldercare demands. When all variables were combined to jointly predict resilience, age, job resources, and self-regulation resources predicted resilience, whereas demands (i.e., workload, childcare, and eldercare demands) did not. Our findings suggest that age-related advantages in well-being have persisted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Older workers were more likely to reframe the crisis and see it as an opportunity for personal growth. They possess and utilize resources in unique and beneficial ways, which could also benefit younger workers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Age at Work, Well-Being, and COVID-Related Challenges)

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16 pages, 1483 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Age-Differentiated Leadership and Healthy Aging at Work: Evidence from the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Ryszard J. Koziel, Jack C. Friedrich, Cort W. Rudolph and Hannes Zacher

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(23), 12509; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312509 - 27 Nov 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2923

Abstract

Little is known about the relative influence of age-differentiated leadership on healthy aging at work. Likewise, the age-conditional influence of age-differentiated leadership is understudied, and especially so in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a three-wave longitudinal study, we examined the role that age-differentiated leadership plays in the prediction of work ability, as measured three times over six months (n = 1130) during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany (i.e., December 2019, March 2020, and June 2020). The results suggest that although there were no systematic changes in work ability on average, there was notable within-person variability in work ability over time. Additionally, we find that a balanced approach to age-differentiated leadership that considers the needs of both older and younger employees matters most and complements the positive influence of leader–member exchange for predicting within-person variability in work ability. We also find that older employees’ work ability benefits from an approach to age-differentiated leadership that considers older employee’s needs, whereas younger employees’ work ability especially benefits from leader–member exchange and a balanced approach to age-differentiated leadership. Overall, these results provide initial support for the idea that an age-differentiated approach to leadership is important when considering healthy aging at work. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Age at Work, Well-Being, and COVID-Related Challenges)

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20 pages, 878 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Motives for Crafting Work and Leisure: Focus on Opportunities at Work and Psychological Needs as Drivers of Crafting Efforts

by Merly Kosenkranius, Floor Rink, Miika Kujanpää and Jessica de Bloom

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(23), 12294; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312294 - 23 Nov 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5099

Abstract

Employees of all ages can proactively shape their behavior to manage modern work–life challenges more effectively and this is known as crafting. Our goal is to better understand employees’ motives for engaging in crafting efforts in different life domains to fulfil their psychological needs. In a survey study with two measurement waves, we examined whether “focus on opportunities at work” (FoO)—the extent to which employees believe in new goals and opportunities in their occupational future—and psychological needs (i.e., approach and avoidance needs)—predicted crafting efforts at work and outside work (i.e., job and off-job crafting). Our hypotheses were largely confirmed in a study on 346 Finnish workers. Greater FoO led to greater approach needs (i.e., mastery, meaning, affiliation), which in turn explained higher engagement in both job and off-job crafting. Avoidance needs (i.e., detachment, relaxation) resulted in increased crafting efforts in both life domains directly. Our findings underline the importance of FoO for crafting efforts across life domains, and explain why this is the case (i.e., it activates approach-oriented psychological needs). By supporting workers in shifting their focus onto their future opportunities (regardless of their age), organizations can create environments conducive to crafting and ultimately sustainable work lives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Age at Work, Well-Being, and COVID-Related Challenges)

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15 pages, 1652 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Have Elderly Individuals in Urban China Been Satisfied with Nursing Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic?

by Shoujin Shan, Zhonggen Sun, Furong Zhang, Ruilian Zhang and Bingqing Yang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(20), 10624; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182010624 - 11 Oct 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2091

Abstract

Based on the customer satisfaction index model, we constructed an elderly care service satisfaction model that includes 5 latent variables and 16 observed variables. To analyze the degree of satisfaction of elderly individuals in nursing homes, we used structural equation model (SEM) to test the nursing service elderly satisfaction model. With the help of AMOS 22.0 software, we analyzed the degree of model fit and the behavioral relationships between the variables that affect the path. We found that the satisfaction of Chinese urban elderly individuals in nursing homes is at a moderate level, which is lower than the quality expected by elderly individuals. The customer satisfaction index model can be applied to assess satisfaction with nursing services. Furthermore, perceived quality and value have a significant impact on satisfaction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Age at Work, Well-Being, and COVID-Related Challenges)

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14 pages, 4599 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction (IBSR) Intervention on Well-Being, Resilience and Burnout of Teachers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Tzofnat Zadok-Gurman, Ronit Jakobovich, Eti Dvash, Keren Zafrani, Benjamin Rolnik, Ariel B. Ganz and Shahar Lev-Ari

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(7), 3689; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18073689 - 1 Apr 2021

Cited by 77 | Viewed by 15220

Abstract

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on teachers professional and personal lives. Our primary aim was to assess the effect of a blended Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction (IBSR), an emerging mindfulness and cognitive reframing intervention on teacher’s well-being. Our secondary aims were to assess the effect of IBSR on resilience, burnout, mindfulness, and stress among teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The study was a prospective controlled trial with an intervention group (N = 35) and a comparison control group (N = 32). The intervention took place in the Jerusalem District throughout the school year from November 2019 to May 2020. The sessions were conducted in blended learning that included traditional learning (face-to-face) and online learning. Data was analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. Results: IBSR blended intervention enhanced the resilience and improved the subjective and psychological well-being of teachers in spite of the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic and the first lockdown in Israel. Simultaneously the control group suffered from enhanced burnout levels and a decline in psychological and subjective well-being. Conclusions: Implementation of IBSR blended intervention during the school year may benefit teachers’ well-being and ability to flourish, even during stressful events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Age at Work, Well-Being, and COVID-Related Challenges)

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Review

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24 pages, 526 KiB

Open AccessReview

Rapid Review on COVID-19, Work-Related Aspects, and Age Differences

by Lara Bellotti, Sara Zaniboni, Cristian Balducci and Gudela Grote

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(10), 5166; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105166 - 13 May 2021

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 5336

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the labor market and multiple aspects of work and workers’ life. The present rapid review analyzes this impact considering the effects that COVID-19 pandemic had on employment and work-related aspects across different age groups. A comprehensive literature search was performed on scientific contributions published between 2019 and March 2021, resulting in 36 papers pertinent to the scope of this review. Findings were grouped according to different topics, all linked to age: occupational risk, implications on the labor market (i.e., job loss and reemployment, job insecurity, turnover intentions and retirement, and healthcare workers’ return-to-work phase), remote work, and key individual and organizational resources and strategies. Overall, the review revealed variability across age groups in the impact this pandemic had on employment and several work-related aspects (i.e., occupational risk, remote work). Findings supported an age-differential effect of normative history-graded events such as the current pandemic, highlighting different responses and consequences depending on workers’ age. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Age at Work, Well-Being, and COVID-Related Challenges)

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