Low education and mental health among older adults: the mediating role of employment and income

Abstract

Purpose: Transition from work to retirement may be associated with poor mental health outcomes in older-age groups, especially among those of lower socio-economic position (SEP). This study investigates the association between low educational achievement and mental health status, and the mediating role of employment status and income level among older-age Australians. Methods: This study was based on the ‘45 and Up Study’, a prospective cohort study of participants from New South Wales (Australia) aged 45 years and older (N = 267,153), followed-up over the period 2006–2018. A causal mediation analysis was used to assess the total causal effect (TCE) of educational achievement level on psycho..