Employment and Social Participation of Older Adults in the Post-COVID Society: Challenges of Employment for Older Adults in the Era of 100-Year Lifespans

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21H00771
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 08010:Sociology-related
• Research Institution: Kobe University
• Principal Investigator: Katagiri Keiko 神戸大学, 人間発達環境学研究科, 教授 (80591742)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 菅原 育子 西武文理大学, サービス経営学部, 准教授 (10509821) ; 勇上 和史 神戸大学, 経済学研究科, 教授 (90457036)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 高齢就労者 / サードエイジ / ウェルビーイング / 社会参加 / 市民参加 / 社会参画 / 生産的活動

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The model of social engagement proposed by Katagiri (2017) identifies three beneficial activities for third agers: productive activities, civic activities, and social participation. This study examines the impact of work, civic engagement, and social participation on third agers. An online survey conducted in 2023 included 10,566 participants aged 45-70, residing in large cities with work experience.
Findings indicate that 20-30% of those aged 61 and older were not engaged in any activity. However, older workers demonstrated higher levels of work engagement and workplace satisfaction. Work and social participation positively influenced men's well-being. The results of this study highlight that while many senior workers remain motivated, a significant portion are not engaged in any activities. It is evident that expanding activities beyond work, such as participating in social activities during the third age, is beneficial for overall adjustment.

Free Research Field

社会老年学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

2021年高年齢者雇用安定法が改正になり、高齢者は老後の経済不安もあり最近65歳以上の就業率が上昇している。60代以降に仕事のみの生活の継続は、地域社デビューが遅れ、地域社会で生きる老後の生活へのスムースな移行は難しいと考えられるが、高齢者就労の増加は最近の現象であり、働き続けることの影響があまり学術的に検討されていない。
本研究の結果からシニア就労者のやる気は高く、労働力として期待できるため、活躍できる条件を検討する必要性が指摘できる。一方で男性では60代以降は仕事をするだけではなく、社会参加など仕事以外の地域での活動をすることで、来る引退後の生活に備えることが必要だと考えられる。