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Cognitive functioning, aging, and work: A review and recommendations for research and practice
Gwenith G Fisher1, Dorey S Chaffee1, Lois E Tetrick2
1Department of Psychology, Colorado State University.
Journal of Occupational Health Psychology
|March 31, 2017
Summary
Older adults are working longer, but research on their cognitive functioning at work is limited. This review explores how aging, work, and cognitive abilities interact, offering insights for occupational health.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health Psychology
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Increasing proportion of older adults in the labor force, working longer.
- Limited research on cognitive functioning in working older adults compared to physical health.
- Growing need to understand the interplay of aging, work, and cognition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a multidisciplinary review of cognitive functioning, aging, and work.
- To update and expand upon previous work by Fisher et al. (2014).
- To synthesize contemporary research on this intersection.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and theories.
- Discussion of cognitive changes across the lifespan.
- Examination of hypotheses such as use-it-or-lose-it and cognitive reserve.
Main Results:
- Work can impact cognitive functioning in older adults.
- Cognitive functioning influences work motivation, learning, development, training, and safety.
- Theories like job-demands-resources model are relevant.
Conclusions:
- Emphasizes the importance of person-environment fit for working older adults.
- Suggests future research directions in occupational health psychology.
- Discusses practical implications for supporting cognitive health in the aging workforce.