Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, Vol 52, Issue 2 S89-S96, Copyright © 1997 by The Gerontological Society of America

ARTICLES

Self-esteem and subjective responses to work among mature workers: similarities and differences by gender

EJ Mutran, DJ Reitzes, KA Bratton and ME Fernandez
Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA. betty_mutran@unc.edu

This study addressed three questions that underlie the experiences of middle-aged working individuals: (1) What factors influence workers' quality of time spent at work, their feelings of competence as a worker, and their satisfaction with work? (2) What is the impact of subjective responses to work on self-esteem? and (3) What effect does gender have on subjective responses and self-esteem? These data are derived from an ongoing study of full-time working men and women (N = 770). Subjective responses to work are affected by poor health. Quality of time at work (meaningful, not boring), job satisfaction, and an identity as a competent worker are associated with self-esteem. Self- esteem was higher among women in highly autonomous jobs, and nonmarried women had higher self-esteem than others. The strongest effect on self- esteem was that of feeling competent as a worker. Positive perceptions of work increased self-esteem, facilitating the transition into retirement.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Pinquart and S. Sorensen Gender Differences in Self-Concept and Psychological Well-Being in Old Age: A Meta-Analysis J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., July 1, 2001; 56(4): P195 - 213. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]