Lindsay C. Kobayashi|Justin M. Feldman
Employment trajectories in midlife and cognitive performance in later life: longitudinal study of older American men and women
Georgetown University Medical Center|Georgetown University|Harvard University|New York University
background although employed midlife positively associated cognitive function later life little known respect cumulative trajectories durations time spent different kinds work methods investigated relationships employment trajectory ages 31 years 50 years cognitive skills ages 5078 years among 2521 adults us panel study income dynamics 1968 2016 sequence analysis used identify prototypical employment trajectories capturing employment status high versus lower job skill level year age 31 years 50 years adjusted weighted logistic regression used estimate relationships employment trajectory performance four cognitive tests representing numerical reasoning verbal reasoning health literacy financial literacy doseresponse relationships duration highskill employment cognitive skills examined results seven prototypical employment trajectories identified common consistently lower skill employment 44 11052521 consistently highskill fluctuating skill trajectories associated high numerical reasoning scores or154 95 ci 099 240 or252 95 ci 139 458 respectively compared consistently lower skill employment doseresponse relationship duration highskill employment numerical reasoning or117 95 ci 106 128 plateauing approximately 4 years highskill employment conclusions sequence analysis exposure trajectories novel method life course epidemiology accounts exposure timing duration ordering results using method indicate duration may important timing highskill midlife employment laterlife numerical reasoning skills