How has COVID-19 affected the working lives, finances, mental and physical health, and lifestyle of a cohort of middle-aged men and women in England?

Abstract

This thesis explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment circumstances, health, lifestyle and finances among middle-aged people participating in the Health and Employment After Fifty (HEAF) study. Furthermore, it explored how health was affected by changes to their employment precipitated by the pandemic.
A range of methodologies were applied, including a systematic review, two cross-sectional on-line surveys, and a qualitative study.
In a systematic review we found conclusive evidence that loss of employment precipitated by the pandemic was associated with increased risk or levels of anxiety, although with moderate effects. However, the direction of effect between working from home in lockdown and anxiety was unclear.
Quantitative analyses of a large cohort of middle-aged people in England showed that employment circumstances, lifestyle, finances and health changed substantially after the onset of the pandemic. Our data showed clear disparities in how the pandemic affected different sectors of the population. Participants in poorer financial position before the pandemic were more likely to experience worsening of their financial circumstances. Those who transitioned to working from home were more likely to report financial improvements, while all other employment changes were associated with worsening financial circumstances. Additionally, poorer health outcomes were more common among individuals in poorer pre-pandemic health. Compared with participants whose job did not change during the pandemic, those who shifted to home working were more likely to perceive a deterioration in their general health, whereas those who decided to retire were more likely to perceive a deterioration in general and mental health and to experience depression in February 2021. It is important to track the mental and physical health of the general population in the long term, with particular attention given to those who experienced the greatest employment disruptions and showed the least resilience.
Finally, interviews with participants who retired since March 2020 showed that, similarly to what was reported pre-pandemic, their decision was influenced by a combination of factors. Certain work-related factors could be targeted to extend working lives and decrease economic inactivity. As postulated by the job demand-control and effort-reward imbalance models, having greater control over work tasks – such as through a flexible job – can mitigate the stress derived from a demanding job and support job retention. Similarly, feeling connected with colleagues and managers and appreciated within the workplace reflects a balance between effort and reward and can contribute to encourage work at older ages.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Karen Walker-Bone: orcid.org/0000-0002-5992-1459

ORCID for Sandrine Willaime-Morawek: orcid.org/0000-0002-1121-6419

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