The impact of age and perceived age discrimination on job satisfaction and mental health

In this chapter, we focus on the impact of different variables related to personal characteristics and working conditions on job satisfaction, with particular attention to what happens for younger (<50 years old) and older (50+) age groups. In particular, we aim at investigating the role of ageing and the perception of age discrimination. We employ an OLS (Ordinary Least Squares) regression model for job satisfaction and a MIMIC (Multiple Indicators Multiple Causes) model to analyse the impact on mental health (measured by the WHO-5 items) of different exogenous variables.

In order to assess job satisfaction and mental health and their determinants we make use of the European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) for the year 2015 in 35 European countries. Multivariate model results show that work-life balance and wage levels remain important factors for both job satisfaction and mental health, as well as working conditions (explored through job demand and job hazard composite variables). In the job satisfaction models, we have found a negative impact of age discrimination in all age groups, and especially for those who are 50+. Turning to mental health, ageing decreases mental health for those aged 50+, and the perception of age discrimination has again a negative impact for all, but especially for this age group.