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The impact of transitions from employment to retirement on suicidal behaviour among older aged Australians

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Abstract

Purpose

Transition from employment to retirement may be detrimental to mental health, and associated with suicidal behaviour. This study investigated the association between employment and retirement status and suicidal behaviour among older aged Australians.

Methods

This study was based on the ‘45 and Up Study’, a large prospective cohort study of participants from New South Wales (Australia) aged 45 years and older (N = 267,153), followed up over the period 2006–2018. The risk of attempted suicide and suicide was compared between categories of employment and retirement status in a series of recurrent event survival analysis models adjusting for identified time variant and invariant confounders.

Results

Compared to those who were employed, the risk of attempted suicide was higher among those who were not in the labour force and not retired (predominantly those who were sick or disabled, or carers) (HR = 1.97–95% CI 1.49–2.62), those who retired involuntarily (HR = 1.35–95% CI 1.03–1.77), and to a lesser extent those unemployed (HR = 1.31–95% CI 0.89–1.92). Risk of attempted suicide among those who retired voluntarily was similar to those who remained employed (HR = 1.09–95% CI 0.82–1.45). A similar pattern was evident for suicide, with a higher risk of suicide among those who were not in the labour force or retired, and those who retired involuntarily, compared to those who remained employed; however, these differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Transition from employment to retirement may be an important precipitating factor for suicidal behaviour, affected by current and previous mental health status. Services and programs facilitating continued or re-employment in older age, and adjustment to the transition from employment to retirement may prevent suicidal behaviour.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the contribution to this project of A/Prof. Allison Milner who passed away in August 2019. With her untimely passing, the field of suicide prevention has lost an innovative and dynamic researcher, a principled colleague, and a friend. This research was completed using data collected through the 45 and Up Study (www.saxinstitute.org.au). The 45 and Up Study is managed by the Sax Institute in collaboration with major partner Cancer Council NSW; and partners: the National Heart Foundation of Australia (NSW Division); NSW Ministry of Health; NSW Government Family AND Community Services—Ageing, Carers and the Disability Council NSW; and the Australian Red Cross Blood Service. We thank the many thousands of people participating in the ‘45 and Up Study’.

Funding

This work was supported by beyondblue and the National Health & Medical Research Council [APP1150655].

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Correspondence to Andrew Page.

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None.

Availability of data and material

Data from this study cannot be shared due to Data Custodian agreements relating to the access and use of the linked ‘45 and Up Study’ data held by the Sax Institute.

Additional information

Allison Milner: Deceased.

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Page, A., Sperandei, S., Spittal, M.J. et al. The impact of transitions from employment to retirement on suicidal behaviour among older aged Australians. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 56, 759–771 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-020-01947-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-020-01947-0

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