Does working status affect the mental health outcomes of older population: A comparative study using the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India

Population aging is rapidly emerging as a global concern, with the proportion of older individuals rising steadily. In India, this demographic shift carries significant socioeconomic consequences, often pushing older people into financial insecurity and extending their participation in the workforce beyond retirement age. While studies from developed countries have shown a positive impact of continued engagement in later life on the mental health of older individuals, the present study aims to examine whether this relationship holds in the Indian context, where older individuals often continue working out of financial necessity rather than personal passion or motivation. Using nationally representative data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India, the study finds that working beyond retirement age is associated with a reduced risk of depression and poor cognitive functioning among older individuals. These findings are consistent across both logistic regression and propensity score matching analyses. The matched analysis shows that older working people have a 4.0 percentage point lower likelihood of poor cognitive functioning and a 3.5 percentage point lower likelihood of experiencing depression (both P < 0.001) compared to their matched non-working counterparts. This highlights the positive role of later-life engagement in supporting mental health. The study also emphasizes the need to create age-inclusive work environments, provide opportunities for skill development, and adapt job roles to suit physical capacities, enabling older people to remain productive and mentally engaged.