The “antithesis of disengagement”: theoretical essay and initial model proposition on the career longevity of older workers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23925/recape.v15i3.71612Keywords:
Career longevity, Older workers, Psychosocial factorsAbstract
This theoretical essay proposes an initial model of career longevity in older workers, understood as the antithesis of disengagement. Based on a review of national and international literature, five promoting factors are identified: perceived organizational support, work centrality, career adaptability, perceived employability, and work volition. The model offers a foundation for future empirical research and contributes to understanding the voluntary extension of working life in the context of an aging population.
References
Amorim, W., Fischer, A., & Fevorini, F. B. (2019). Workers age 50 and over in the Brazilian labor market: is there ageism? Revista de Gestao, 26(2), 161–179. https://doi.org/10.1108/REGE-09-2018-0092
Armstrong‐Stassen, M. (2008). Human resource practices for mature workers — And why aren’t employers using them? Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, 46(3), 334–352. https://doi.org/10.1177/1038411108091755
Armstrong-Stassen, M., & Ursel, N. D. (2009). Perceived organizational support, career satisfaction, and the retention of older workers. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 82(1), 201–220. https://doi.org/10.1348/096317908X288838
Arthur, M. B., DeFillippi, R. J., & Jones, C. (2001). Project-based Learning as the Interplay of Career and Company Non-Financial Capital. Management Learning, 32(1), 99–117. https://doi.org/1350507620010332
Blustein, D. L. (2008). The Role of Work in Psychological Health and Well-Being: A Conceptual, Historical, and Public Policy Perspective. American Psychologist, 63(4), 228–240. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.63.4.228
Blustein, D. L. (2011). Vocational psychology at the fork in the road: Staying the course or taking the road less traveled. Em Journal of Career Assessment (Vol. 19, Número 3, p. 316–322). SAGE Publications Inc. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072710395537
Brown, M., Pitt-Catsouphes, M., McNamara, T. K., & Besen, E. (2014). Returning to the workforce after retiring: a job demands, job control, social support perspective on job satisfaction. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 25(22), 3113–3133. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2014.919951
Cahill, M., & Salomone, P. R. (1987). Career Counseling for Work Life Extension: Integrating the Older Worker into the Labor Force.
Caines, V. D., Crane, M. F., Noone, J., Griffin, B., Datta, S., & Earl, J. K. (2020). Older workers: Past, present and future. Australian Journal of Management, 45(3), 425–448. https://doi.org/10.1177/0312896220918912
Cole, G. (2016). Extending the careers of older workers: the role of individual working agreements. Em Human Resource Management International Digest (Vol. 24, Número 6, p. 24–26). Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1108/HRMID-06-2016-0083
Crespo, S. (2004). Les «nouveaux parcours» de fin de carrière. Retraite et Societe, 42(2), 65–85. https://doi.org/10.3917/rs.042.0065
Cunningham, J. B., & Sweet, B. (2009). Individual competencies that older workers use in successfully adapting during their careers. Em Int. J. Human Resources Development and Management (Vol. 9, Número 3).
De Vos, A., & Segers, J. (2013). Self-directed career attitude and retirement intentions. Career Development International, 18(2), 155–172. https://doi.org/10.1108/CDI-04-2012-0041
De Vos, A., Van der Heijden, B. I. J. M., & Akkermans, J. (2020). Sustainable careers: Towards a conceptual model. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2018.06.011
Dias, E. W. (2022). Finanças Comportamentais: desejos, tentações e felicidade. InterSaberes.
Dias, E. W., & Hanashiro, D. M. M. (2024). A carreira do trabalhador mais velho: uma revisão sistemática da literatura e futuras direções de pesquisa. RECAPE: Revista de Carreiras e Pessoas. https://doi.org/10.23925
Duffy, R. D., Autin, K. L., & Bott, E. M. (2015). Work volition and job satisfaction: Examining the role of work meaning and person-environment fit. Career Development Quarterly, 63(2), 126–140. https://doi.org/10.1002/cdq.12009
Duffy, R. D., Bott, E. M., Torrey, C. L., & Webster, G. W. (2013). Work Volition as a Critical Moderator in the Prediction of Job Satisfaction. Journal of Career Assessment, 21(1), 20–31. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072712453831
Duffy, R. D., Diemer, M. A., Perry, J. C., Laurenzi, C., & Torrey, C. L. (2012). The construction and initial validation of the Work Volition Scale. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 80(2), 400–411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2011.04.002
Eisenberger, R., Huntington, R., Hutchison, S., & Sowa, D. (1986). Perceived Organizational Support. Em Journal of Applied Psychology (Vol. 71, Número 3).
Flach, N., & Dandara, L. (2024). Geração prateada produz PIB de R$ 1,8 tri e quer mais atenção . Valor Econômico. https://valor.globo.com/empresas/noticia/2024/10/28/geracao-prateada-produz-pib-de-r-18-tri-e-quer-mais-atencao.ghtml
Fournier, G., Zimmermann, H., Gauthier, C., & Masdonati, J. (2015). L’expérience du chômage chez les travailleurs seniors : De la crise identitaire à la réflexion sur l’avenir. Orientation Scolaire et Professionnelle, 43(3). https://doi.org/10.4000/osp.4431
Gouldner, A. W. (1960). The Norm of Reciprocity: A Preliminary Statement. American Sociological Review, 25, 161–178.
Harpaz, I. (2002). Expressing a wish to continue or stop working as related to the meaning of work. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 11(2), 177–198.
Hennekam, S. (2015). Career success of older workers: the influence of social skills and continuous learning ability. Journal of Management Development, 34(9), 1113–1133. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMD-05-2014-0047
Hennekam, S. (2016). Competencies of older workers and its influence on career success and job satisfaction. Employee Relations, 38(2), 130–146. https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-05-2014-0054
Heraty, N., & McCarthy, J. (2015). Unearthing psychological predictors of financial planning for retirement among late career older workers: Do self-perceptions of aging matter? Work, Aging and Retirement, 1(3), 274–283. https://doi.org/10.1093/workar/wav008
IBGE. (2018, julho 25). Projeção da população 2018: número de habitantes do país deve parar de crescer em 2047. Agência IBGE. https://agenciadenoticias.ibge.gov.br/agencia-sala-de-imprensa/2013-agencia-de-noticias/releases/21837
IBGE. (2023, outubro 23). Censo 2022: número de pessoas com 65 anos ou mais de idade cresceu 57,4% em 12 anos. Agência de Notícias IBGE. https://agenciadenoticias.ibge.gov.br/agencia-noticias/2012-agencia-de-noticias/noticias/38186
Kerr, G., & Armstrong-Stassen, M. (2011). The bridge to retirement: Older workers’ engagement in post-career entrepreneurship and wage-and-salary employment. Journal of Entrepreneurship, 20(1), 55–76. https://doi.org/10.1177/097135571002000103
Kim, H. K., & Kim, Y. H. (2022). Older workers’ career adaptability and career success. Baltic Journal of Management, 17(2), 192–205. https://doi.org/10.1108/BJM-06-2021-0225
Kwon, J. E. (2019). Work Volition and Career Adaptability as Predictors of Employability: Examining a Moderated Mediating Process. Sustainability (Switzerland), 11(24). https://doi.org/10.3390/su11247089
Lim, D. H., Kim, W., & Shin, H. Y. (2019). Career adaptability and active job search behavior of Korean older workers: The mediating roles of attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help. International Journal of Manpower, 40(7), 1239–1253. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJM-09-2018-0308
Luke, J., & Neault, R. A. (2020). Advancing Older Workers: Motivations, Adaptabilities, and Ongoing Career Engagement. Canadian Journal of Career Development, 19(1).
Lytle, M. C., Foley, P. F., & Cotter, E. W. (2015). Career and Retirement Theories: Relevance for Older Workers Across Cultures. Journal of Career Development, 42(3), 185–198. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894845314547638
Magnano, P., Santisi, G., Zammitti, A., Zarbo, R., & Nuovo, S. Di. (2019). Self-perceived employability and meaningful work: The mediating role of courage on quality of life. Sustainability (Switzerland), 11(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/su11030764
Meyers, C. A., & Bagnall, R. G. (2017). The challenges of undergraduate online learning experienced by older workers in career transition. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 36(4), 442–457. https://doi.org/10.1080/02601370.2016.1276107
Mok, I., Mackenzie, L., & Thomson, K. (2021). Career development and human resource management of older workers: A scoping review. Australian Journal of Career Development, 30(3), 226–239. https://doi.org/10.1177/10384162211069208
Mooney, S. K., Harris, C., & Ryan, I. (2016). Long hospitality careers – a contradiction in terms? International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 28(11), 2589–2608. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-04-2015-0206
Oddone, M. J. (2019). El trabajo, la (des) cronologización del ciclo vital y la trayectoria laboral de los trabajadores de mayor edad. Contemporânea - revista de sociologia da UFSCar, 9(3), 803–822. https://doi.org/10.4322/2316-1329.114
Paullay, I. M. , Alliger, G. M. , & Stone-Romero, E. F. (1994). Construct validation of two instruments designed to measure job involvement and work centrality. Journal of Applied Psychology, 79(2), 224–228.
Posthuma, R. A., & Campion, M. A. (2009). Age stereotypes in the workplace: Common stereotypes, moderators, and future research directions. Journal of Management, 35(1), 158–188. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206308318617
Rhoades, L., & Eisenberger, R. (2002). Perceived organizational support: A review of the literature. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(4), 698–714. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.87.4.698
Riva, E., Lucchini, M., & Piazzoni, C. (2022). The effect of job quality on quality of life and wellbeing in later career stages: A multilevel and longitudinal analysis on older workers in Europe. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 17(4), 1993–2015. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-021-10021-z
Robson, S. M., & Hansson, R. O. (2007). Strategic Self Development for Successful Aging at Work. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 64(4), 331–359. https://doi.org/10.2190/Q303-171U-7686-8517
Roobol, C., Pruijt, H., Koster, F., Ruby, F., & Leijten, M. (2021). Developmental proactivity and professional ability as older workers’ employability resources. A longitudinal study explaining career events. Journal of Business Science and Applied Management, 16(2).
Rothwell, A., & Arnold, J. (2007). Self-perceived employability: Development and validation of a scale. Personnel Review, 36(1), 23–41. https://doi.org/10.1108/00483480710716704
Savickas, M. L., & Porfeli, E. J. (2012). Career Adapt-Abilities Scale: Construction, reliability, and measurement equivalence across 13 countries. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 80(3), 661–673. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2012.01.011
Simon, J., & Osipow, S. H. (1996). Continuity of Career: The Vocational Script in Counseling Older Workers. The Career Development Quarterly, 45.
Tempest, S., & Coupland, C. (2017). Lost in time and space: temporal and spatial challenges facing older workers in a global economy from a career capital perspective. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 28(15), 2159–2183. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2015.1128455
Tikkanen, T. (2012). Social Partners: out with Early Exit, in with Learning and Career Development for Senior Employees? Sociologia del Lavoro, 125, 99–117. https://doi.org/10.3280/SL2012-125007
Van Der Heijde, C. M., & Van Der Heijden, B. I. J. M. (2006). A competence-based and multidimensional operationalization and measurement of employability. Human Resource Management, 45(3), 449–476. https://doi.org/10.1002/hrm.20119
Van der Klink, J. J. L., Bültmann, U., Burdorf, A., Schaufeli, W. B., Zijlstra, F. R. H., Abma, F. I., Brouwer, S., & Van der wilt, G. J. (2016). Sustainable employability – definition, conceptualization, and implications: A perspective based on the capability approach. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, 42(1), 71–79. https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.3531
Veth, K. N., Emans, B. J. M., Van der Heijden, B. I. J. M., Korzilius, H. P. L. M., & De Lange, A. H. (2015). Development (f)or maintenance? An empirical study on the use of and need for HR practices to retain older workers in health care organizations. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 26(1), 53–80. https://doi.org/10.1002/hrdq.21200
Wats, M., & Wats, R. K. (2009). Developing soft skills in students. International Journal of Learning, 15(12), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.18848/1447-9494/CGP/v15i12/46032
Zacher, H., & Griffin, B. (2015). Older workers’ age as a moderator of the relationship between career adaptability and job satisfaction. Work, Aging and Retirement, 1(2), 227–236. https://doi.org/10.1093/workar/wau009
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Revista de Carreiras e Pessoas
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
• O(s) autor(es) autoriza(m) a publicação do artigo na revista.
• O(s) autor(es) garante(m) que a contribuição é original e inédita e que não está em processo de avaliação em outra(s) revista(s).
• A revista não se responsabiliza pelas opiniões, ideias e conceitos emitidos nos textos, por serem de inteira responsabilidade de seu(s) autor(es).
• É reservado aos editores o direito de proceder ajustes textuais e de adequação do artigos às normas da publicação.
• Os Autores que publicam nesta revista concordam com os seguintes termos:
- Autores mantêm os direitos autorais e concedem à revista o direito de primeira publicação, com o trabalho simultaneamente licenciado sob a Creative Commons Attribution License, permitindo o compartilhamento do trabalho com reconhecimento da autoria do trabalho e publicação inicial nesta revista.
- Autores têm autorização para assumir contratos adicionais separadamente, para distribuição não-exclusiva da versão do trabalho publicada nesta revista (ex.: publicar em repositório institucional ou como capítulo de livro), com reconhecimento de autoria e publicação inicial nesta revista.
- Autores têm permissão e são estimulados a publicar e distribuir seu trabalho online (ex.: em repositórios institucionais ou na sua página pessoal), já que isso pode gerar alterações produtivas, bem como aumentar o impacto e a citação do trabalho publicado (Veja O Efeito do Acesso Livre).
