Cosa sappiamo sul legame causale tra lavoro e salute? Evidenze empiriche su donne e uomini in una società che invecchia

This contribution examines the intrinsic relationship between employment and the health and psychological well-being of workers, with a particular focus on mature female workers in their career progression. The contribution first summarizes theoretical contributions that have highlighted a strong connection between job quality and workers’ well-being, then it discusses empirical evidence regarding the causal link between work and the health of mature workers. In particular, the contribution investigates the health effects of extended working careers, often induced by public policies raising the statutory pension age, which has particularly affected women in recent decades. Econometric studies suggest that extended careers can lead to negative effects on the mental health of female workers, especially among those engaged in physically and psychosocially demanding occupations, with pronounced inequalities among socioeconomic groups (Carrino et al., 2020). The contribution then discusses further significant social relevance of these reforms. An emerging literature in social sciences highlights how workers affected by pension reforms raising the statutory pension age, faces a conflict in choosing between dedicating time to their work or to their family, and how female workers employed in inflexible and intensive jobs tend to reduce the care provided to their vulnerable parents. Last, the contribution illustrates how economic studies can unravel the complexity of relationships between work environment and workers’ mental health, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach in evaluating psychosocial risks in the workplace, addressing the potential adverse consequences of increases in retirement age on health and on the availability of informal caregiving activities.