Productive Aging and Wellbeing Among Older Australians

Building on the framework of productive aging, this study delves into the relationships among various forms of productive engagement, such as paid work, volunteering, and housework, and their effects on the mental well-being of middle-aged and older Australians (aged 50 and above). By integrating theoretical perspectives on household division attitudes and time availability, the research initially examines the extent of unpaid work in conjunction with paid work and retirement. Subsequently, it assesses how unpaid engagement correlates with mental well-being.

The study will utilize multiple waves of the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) surveys to create analytical samples of older Australians. Fixed-effect models will be employed to control for unobserved heterogeneity, ensuring more accurate estimations. The anticipated findings are expected to highlight the significant role that volunteering and housework play in the lives of older Australians, particularly those who are still working and those who have retired. Preliminary findings based on cross-sectional data indicate that hours of volunteering increase with the amount of housework for older workers and retirees, but not for those who were never in the labor market or sought employment later in life. For older workers, volunteering boosts life satisfaction.

This research aims to provide a deeper understanding of how engagement in these activities impacts well-being in later life. It will offer valuable insights for policymakers looking to design programs that support healthy and active aging, emphasizing the importance of both productive engagement and equitable distribution of household responsibilities in promoting mental well-being among older adults. Through this, the study seeks to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the social factors that bolster mental health in the later stages of life.