Abstract
Digitalization has and will alter the world of work and put new occupational demands on employees. Since occupations differ in in timing and extent to which they undergo digitalization processes, individuals differ with respect to the extent they face altered skill demands. Common age stereotypes attribute lower digital competences and a certain inability to adapt to technological changes to older workers. Thus far it is unclear, however, how older workers’ self-perceptions of their own aging (SPA) are affected by changes at work due to digitalization. Based on theoretical assumptions derived from Levy’s Stereotype Embodiment Theory, we hypothesize that SPA will become more negative for individuals working in occupations that are digitalised to a higher extent. To investigate this issue we use data from the German Ageing Survey (2014 and 2017) and estimate latent change score models. The results of the study provide some insights about issues arising from the interaction between population aging and digitalization processes in the world of work.
Presenters
Lisa Katharina KortmannResearch Associate, Institute for Ageing Research (IAF), Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences (OST), Sankt Gallen (de), Switzerland
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Social and Cultural Perspectives on Aging
KEYWORDS
Self-Perceptions of Aging, Digitalization, Older Employees, Latent Change Score Analysis
