How Employment Histories Shape Mental Health Trajectories in Later Life: The Role of Migration Background

Songyun Shi , Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research
Carla Rowold, Hertie-School
Silvia Loi, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research

Background The impact of employment on later-life health is well established; however, few studies have captured the full spectrum of employment histories or examined how their effects on mental health trajectories vary by migration background. This study explores how employment histories shape mental health trajectories in later life and how these effects differ by migration background. Methods Using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel, we applied sequence analysis to trace employment transitions between ages 30 and 59. we then employed a growth mixture model to identify patterns of mental health trajectories from ages 60 to 70. Bivariate and regression analyses were conducted to assess group differences and test whether the effects of employment history patterns on mental health trajectories varied by migration background. Results Four employment history patterns and three mental health trajectories were identified. Immigrants were more likely to follow part-time employment patterns and to belong to the low mental health group, particularly among women. Compared with full-time workers, part-timers, homemakers, and early retirees were more likely to report lower mental health. These effects varied by migration background, with immigrant homemakers more often in moderate than low mental health trajectories. Conclusion Immigrant women are more likely to have part-time employment histories, and to report poorer mental health in later life. Employment histories influence later-life mental health, and these effects vary by migration background, particularly among homemakers. Combining sequence analysis and growth mixture modeling provides a valuable approach for uncovering heterogeneous life-course patterns and their long-term effects on later-life health.

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 Presented in Session 18. Health and Wellbeing across the Life Course