Each month, we select up to 10 publications from those that have recently been entered into the Literature Database.

A year ago, there were approximately 6,398 citations in the Literature Database. As of April 2006, we now have over 7,300 citations.

Click here for a direct link to the Sloan Literature Update articles in the Literature Database.

Adams, G. & Rau, B. (2004). Job seeking among retirees seeking bridge employment. Personnel Psychology, 57(3), 719-744.
This study tests and proves useful a pre-existing model of job seeking for retired older workers seeking bridge jobs, as proposed in 1996 by Wanberg, Watt and Rumsey. Findings suggest that the same processes are in place for bridge job-seeking as for regular job-seeking but indicate a need for future studies to explain specific variables unique to this population. The authors also make recommendations for additional variables to be studied such as community service and volunteer work and their influence on job-seeking efforts.

Ford, R. & Orel, N. (2005). Older adult learners in the workforce: New dimensions to workforce training needs. Journal of Career Development, 32(2), 139-152.
Tight labor markets have led many companies to recruit and retain a greater number of older workers. Today’s technology-based economy requires workers to have a wide range of up-to-date skills in both technology and teamwork. Physical and cognitive changes in older workers, as well as issues of age diversity in the workplace, must be considered when training adult workers. This paper discusses how to customize training strategies and methods for older workers.

Kim, H. & DeVaney, S.A. (2005). The selection of partial or full retirement by older workers. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 26(3), 371-394.
This paper investigates the factors affecting older workers choosing partial or full retirement instead of full-time work. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study collected in 1992 and 2000, the authors conclude that age and gender have similar effects on the likelihood of phased and full retirement, while choosing full or partial retirement depends upon factors such as investment assets, pensions, health, health insurance, and education. A variety of strategies are needed to assist older workers in their planning.

Global Perspectives - Phillipson. C. (2004). Work and retirement transitions: Changing sociological and social policy contexts. Social Policy and Society, 3(2), 155-162.
The author argues that retirement will remain important in Europe over the next several decades despite governments’ encouraging workers to remain at their jobs past traditional retirement age. Various policy contexts are discussed in light of data on retirement attitudes and the employment of older workers. The paper argues for a broadening of the institution and definition of “retirement” as opposed to fixed options for work or retirement.

Purcell, P.J. (2003). Older workers: Recent trends in employment and retirement. Journal of Deferred Compensation, 8(3), 30-53.
This article discusses the change in the age distribution of the United States that will occur over the next fifteen years,as a result of the aging of the workforce. Using data from the Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey, the author examines the use of pension income in recent years by those aged 55 and up as well as employment trends for older workers in the context of data from the Social Security Administration. Finally, recommendations are made for policies to promote phased retirement, along with a discussion of the issues concerning phased retirement and pension distribution.

Schieman, S., Pearlin, L.I. & Nguyen, K.B. (2005). Status inequality and occupational regrets in late life. Research on Aging, 27(6), 692-724.
This study investigates work-related perceived discrimination and occupational regrets in adults aged 65 and up. Black men and women reported higher levels of perceived discrimination and work-related regret than white men and women. Black men’s disadvantages in areas such as education, occupation, economic resources and perceived discrimination contribute to their high levels of regret, whereas black women would report higher levels of regret were it not the case that their levels of perceived discrimination is similar to that of white men and women. The importance of the sense of regret in studying late-life self-evaluation is discussed.

Ames, B.D., Brosi, W.A., & Damiano-Teixeira, K.M. (2006). “I’m just glad my three jobs could be during the day”: Women and work in a rural community. Family Relations, 55(1), 119-131.
Nine community leaders and seventeen wage-earning women from a rural northern Michigan community were interviewed for this study of the experience of wage-earning women in the context of rural economic restructuring, a common source of stress for rural Americans. The lack of employment and higher educational opportunities, the necessity of long commutes to work, children’s schools and childcare concerns all add to participants’ stress levels. The importance of considering work and family issues in the context of people’s political, social, economic and natural environments is emphasized.