LIFE-STYLE, AGING AND WORK ABILITY AMONG ACTIVE FINNISH WORKERS IN 1981-1992

Objectives Life-style is an important factor in explaining the changes in health and well-being in old age. In this study life-style was def ined according to Abel's definition as combining life chances and life conduct. The main question concerned the change in life-style compone nts and work ability over a 11-year period. Methods The study populati on comprised workers who responded to a questionnaire in both 1981 and 1992 and were still working in 1992 (N = 924). The changes in the dim ensions of life-style (hobbies, living habits, life satisfaction) were tested with Pearson's chi-square test. The associations between life- style, work ability, and health were analyzed by correspondence analys is. Results Physical activity was the life-style factor that showed a major change; it increased among both genders. All other leisure-time activities decreased during the follow-up. The women's satisfaction wi th their life situation increased, but the men were less satisfied at the end of the study. Work ability, as measured with the work ability index, was a crucial factor in these changes. If the work ability rema ined good, the respondents were also more active and more satisfied wi th their life. This effect of work ability was strong, especially with respect to the men's satisfaction with their life situation. Conclusi ons Life-style, work ability, and perceived health are highly associat ed, and studying them separately may give a simplistic view of the int eraction between aging and work. In the future, more comprehensive app roaches should be applied.