Sociability, life satisfaction, and mental health according to age and (un)employment status

The aim of the study was to assess the subjective estimates of well-being of four different age groups, to compare them across different employment statuses (stable job, temporary job, insecure job, unemployed, and pre-retired), and subsequently to evaluate the evolution of these estimates over several years. The study population consisted of 5790 subjects, divided into four age groups: less than 30 years of age, 30-39 years, 40-49 years, and 50-65 years. Employment status was categorized into five groups: stable job, temporary job, insecure job, unemployed, and pre-retired. Four outcome variables were assessed to evaluate the subjective well-being: sociability (leisure activities and membership of an association), life satisfaction, and mental health. The results showed to what extent the older Belgian workers are actually in a situation that is not so comfortable. While the results concerning the sociability were ambiguous, it is clear that the older workers experience more mental health problems and enjoy less pleasure in life than the persons who had already left the labour market, whether they are pre-retired or unemployed. As compared to the situation in 1992, there was a decrease in the subjective well-being of the older workers in 2000.