Abstract
This is a theoretical study on the work capacity of elderly people based on the Social Identity Theory—SIT. In that perspective, work capacity can be considered as the result of a dynamic process. It refers to the worker’s skills to execute professional activities according to the job requirements and his/her health condition. The SIT aims to highlight the existing impact on people’s behavior when they find themselves members of social categories and, therefore, it involves the operation of three psychological processes, which are: social categorization, social identification and social comparison. Thus, one can assume that society characterizes the elderly people as belonging to the retired group, and from a capitalist perspective, considers these people as unproductive. Their identity is linked to workers who are active in the job market; in addition, the chronological determinant of age does not impede elderly people from continuing in the job market. When elderly people are considered capable of developing their activities, whether professionally or not, and start to play new social roles, the start of the transformation in the conception of old age is perceived. In view of this panorama, a Conceptual Theoretical base is proposed, aiming to locate the phenomenon “work capacity” inside the aging process as this capacity is centered on the advanced activities of daily living.
Highlights
How to cite this paper: de Morais Ribeiro, J.H., dos Santos, R.P., de Souza Junior, D.I., Pereira, D.S., da Silva, J.V. and Mendes, M.A. (2015) Work Capacity of the Elderly: Assuming Another Social Identity in the Contemporary World
Population aging is a heterogeneous and multifactorial phenomenon, deriving from conquests in the social, technological and health areas. These have led to relevant transformations in the age structure of the global population, as well as in the socioeconomic characteristics of developed and developing countries [1] [2]. This phenomenon conditioned the aging of the workforce, influencing the economically active population and, occupational health, work capacity and retirement matters started to be the focus of research against the background of the globalization and productive restructuring [3] [4]
Work capacity can be conceived as the result of a dynamic process, which refers to the workers’ skills to execute professional activities according to the occupational requirements and their health conditions [5] [6]
Summary
How to cite this paper: de Morais Ribeiro, J.H., dos Santos, R.P., de Souza Junior, D.I., Pereira, D.S., da Silva, J.V. and Mendes, M.A. (2015) Work Capacity of the Elderly: Assuming Another Social Identity in the Contemporary World. Population aging is a heterogeneous and multifactorial phenomenon, deriving from conquests in the social, technological and health areas These have led to relevant transformations in the age structure of the global population, as well as in the socioeconomic characteristics of developed and developing countries [1] [2]. The scientific and social relevance of investigating issues is related to the work capacity as well as the factors associated with quality of life and welfare the elderly is providing input for creating policies alternative and interventionists of the health areas, social security, academia, public and private organizations, besides meeting the demands of an aging population. The need to rethink aging and promote another identity for elderly workers is discussed
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