Age, job groups, and psychological well-being

This study examines whether psychological well-being in different job groups is affected by gender and age. Data from the survey 'Gesundheit in Deutschland aktuell' were used, which was carried out during 2009/2010 by the Robert Koch Institute. Information was available for 14,693 employed and unemployed men and women aged 18-64 years. Job groups were differentiated according to the Blossfeld classification. Psychological well-being was measured with the Mental Health Inventory. Men and women in more qualified jobs had better well-being than those in less qualified work. The lowest well-being was found for women in job groups with a high amount of unskilled work. For all job groups, men aged 55-64 years tended to have better well-being than those aged 45-54 years. Among women of older age, there was a tendency for well-being to be lower in the unskilled and semiprofessional groups, but on the same level or better in the more qualified job groups. The reason for this might be the imbalance between the demands of work/personal life and the functional capacity of the individual, which especially applies to women and is further affected by a lack of relief, for example, because of economic pressure. This cumulative strain may be more evident in older working ages.