Baby Boom Cohort Research Articles

Thematic Analysis: Milennial Generation Retention in United States Public Sector Organizations

The Millennial generation is expected to comprise nearly 34% of the labor force in 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012). A significant catalyst for the growth pattern is exhibited by Baby Boomer cohort retirement and deaths among them in the United States (Pew Research Center, 2016). The majority of the Baby Boomer generation is historically connected with public sector work, but the composition of the generational workplace/workforce has been altered to exhibit diverse needs and contributions. The Millennial cohort has characteristics that directly align with the premise of Public Sector Organizations. However, other attributes fail to align with the Public Sector Organization's core characteristic of bureaucracy. Based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2014) the Millennial generation only made up 24.5% of government or public sector employees, compared to 33.7% in the private sector, and this statistic continues to be contemporarily disproportionate. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify and assess Public Sector Management strategies and interventions that would increase retention among the Millennial cohort in Public Sector Organizations. A qualitative study using a Thematic Analysis was done to examine whether a productive relationship between the United States Public Sector Organization and Millennial generation characteristics could increase retention. Based on an analysis of the research, the study finds that there is a significant relationship between the Millennial generation and the Public Sector Organization, which may cause an increase in retention if Public Sector Management aligns certain Public Sector Organization attributes to meet the needs of the Millennial generation.

Expectations for future care provision in a population-based cohort of baby-boomers

ObjectiveWe describe sources expected to provide for future care needs among baby-boomers in their late sixties and examine how expectations vary according to earlier health and social experiences. We hypothesised that greater integration in social relationships across adulthood is associated with greater expectation of informal care, and that greater morbidity over a longer time period is associated with greater expectation of formal care. MethodThe MRC National Survey of Health and Development, a population-based birth cohort study set in mainland Britain, provided data on care expectations for 2135 participants aged 68–69. The outcome was who, besides the partner or spouse, is expected to provide for the future care needs, coded as adult children, other relatives, friends/neighbours, paid/professional care, or no one. Adult children were taken as the reference category and the latter two categories were combined as ‘formal care’ in the multiple regression analysis. Results91% had an adult child, of whom 74% expected them to provide care if needed, and 11% expected formal care. The latter rose to 33% of those with no adult children. Geographical distance to adult children (over 25 miles) was strongly correlated with expectations but, independently of this, lack of someone to help in a crisis from midlife onwards and low social contact were associated with expecting formal care. Expectations did not differ by number of chronic conditions, functional limitations or longstanding illness from age 60 + . ConclusionThose lacking social relationships in midlife onwards and those living further from adult children are more likely to expect formal help with their future care needs. As personal care needs are projected to rise with population ageing and families are increasingly expected to provide for these needs, initiatives to remove barriers to smaller distances between ageing parents and their children and to support and maintain high-quality family relationships across the life course should be considered.

The public bicycle-sharing scheme in Brisbane, Australia: Evaluating the influence of its introduction on changes in time spent cycling amongst a middle- and older-age population

BackgroundActive travel may improve individual health as it contributes to higher levels of physical activity, particularly in an aging society. Bicycle-sharing schemes may contribute to public health by encouraging active travel. AimTo investigate whether exposure to a bicycle-sharing scheme—measured as residential proximity to a bicycle station—was associated with the propensity to use it. Second, we aimed to study the extent to which exposure to the scheme was associated with a change in time spent cycling. MethodIn this natural-experimental study, we analysed a large panel of residents in Brisbane, Australia, who were surveyed before and after the introduction of a bicycle-sharing scheme in 2010. Data were collected as part of the HABITAT study, a multilevel longitudinal investigation of physical activity and health among ‘baby boomers’ (persons aged 40–65). Data were collected in 2009 (n = 7866), 2011 (n = 6900), and 2013 (n = 6520). Two self-reported outcome variables were examined: (1) a stages-of-change variable measuring the likelihood of using the scheme and the intention to use it in the future, and (2) change in time spent cycling between 2009 and 2013. ResultsIn the unadjusted model, proximity was significantly associated with stages of change, but became non-significant after adjustment. Moreover, higher levels of exposure to the intervention did not predict a change in time spent cycling. Younger respondents and respondents with a higher education level were more likely to consider using the bicycle-sharing scheme. Individuals who had a college degree were more likely to have used this scheme. ConclusionResidential proximity to a bicycle-sharing station was not found to be associated with the use of the bicycle-sharing scheme nor did its introduction significantly predict an increase in time spent cycling. Other interventions may be more supportive of increasing cycling in the baby boomer cohort, and, thereby, improving their overall health.

Do Millennials Care About NPOs? Intergenerational Differences in Attitudes Towards Nonprofit Organizations

In this study, we analyse whether there are differences in attitudes towards nonprofit organizations (NPOs) between the generational cohorts of Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials. We do so by analysing survey data from Switzerland in two steps, a Bayesian estimation as well as a cluster analysis. The overall results suggest that there are, at best, only few and small intergenerational differences: the only consistent effect we find are the more negative attitudes of the Baby Boomer cohort towards professional associations and towards sports NPOs, but those differences could be due to life cycle rather than intergenerational effects. Overall, our results suggest that the Millennial generational cohort is at least as interested in and willing to engage with NPOs as previous generational cohorts.

Australian attitudes to intergenerational equity: impacts of social and policy change

AbstractAttitudes to ageing can predispose decision-making as governments, interest groups and electorates negotiate competing demands in the context of economic constraints and social change. This paper, based on national survey data, investigates change and stability in Australian attitudes to intergenerational equity from 2009–2010 to 2015–2017, alongside concurrent socio-economic and policy change as well as cohort succession. The emphasis is on the baby-boom cohort who are viewed as significant beneficiaries of social change relative to opportunities of younger and older cohorts. Views of older people as a needy group may be changing slightly as more enter later life with substantial wealth and resources. Our results show that there is little perception of intergenerational conflict with the exception of the Millennial cohort whose life chances are compromised by economic and expenditure constraint over the past decade. Overall, attitudes remain sympathetic to older people, especially among women and people rendered vulnerable by poor health, non-home-ownership and low socio-economic positions. The findings do not align with government portrayals of intergenerational inequalities notwithstanding many having negative views of the future and ongoing expenditure restraint strategies. At what appears to be a critical turning point in the life chances of successive cohorts, the findings indicate the interplay between attitudes and social and policy change, as well as implications for social equity and processes of attitudinal change.

Transportation mode choice among baby boomer visitors in national parks: Exploring the concept of freedom

This paper examines factors influencing shuttle bus ridership, with a particular focus on transportation freedom, among older visitors to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (SEKI). It focuses on people born between 1946 and 1964, termed the baby boomer cohort. The national parks have looked to shuttle buses to provide greater visitors access while reducing traffic congestion, enhancing visitors’ experiences, and protecting park resources. Yet, older people are generally shown to be less likely to ride shuttle buses. Semi-structured qualitative interviews and rigorous content analysis of related transcripts resulted in insights and explanations for this among baby boomer park visitors. In contrast to existing literature, this study found that a relatively high number of baby boomers were utilizing the shuttle system. Many respondents noted how they appreciated the shuttle as an alternative to using their car, or simply walking. However, some respondents stated the reason they choose to use their own car in SEKI was to maintain freedom – the ability to stop wherever and whenever they liked. Some respondents mentioned how the shuttle bus system actually adds freedom by giving more possible ways to get around in the park. Parks could likely gain ridership from the baby boomer cohort, and others as well, by better communicating and marketing the benefits of using the shuttle. By using shuttle bus systems there is the potential for riders to hike more, see more, be more active, save money, be safer, and to focus more on the enjoyment of the parks themselves.

The Age Demographics of Librarians and the Organizational Challenge Facing Academic Libraries

The age demographics of the librarian workforce will create organizational challenges for academic libraries. The large baby boomer cohort, which is approaching retirement, needs to be replaced by millennials. There are a relatively small number of librarians in the Gen X cohort and in most cases, they have come late to leadership opportunities. Creating an organization that uses the skills and abilities of all three generations will be challenging and will require attention to both organizational structure and culture. It will also require a purposeful focus on leadership development and the provision of opportunities for people throughout the organization so that all can make significant contributions and can meaningfully influence the work and direction of the library.

Generation cohort differences in male and female use of tactics to gain sex from an unwilling partner

ABSTRACTFindings of increased prevalence of sexual aggression perpetrated by women against men suggest generational changes in the script governing sexual behaviour following a partner’s refusal. Gender differences in sexual aggression and post-refusal sexual persistence (PRSP) prevalence observed among the Millennial generation cohort were compared with those obtained from a combined Generation X and Baby Boom cohort. An online sample (N = 499) completed the Post-Refusal Sexual Persistence Gender-Neutral scale. Among the older cohort, men were significantly more likely than women to report sexual aggression and PRSP tactic usage, but among the Millennial cohort, gender differences in the prevalence of these behaviours did not reach significance. Equal portions of Millennial and older generation men used arousal PRSP tactics (45%), but Millennial women had a higher rate (36.79%) than older generation women (16.95%). The findings suggest that Millennial men and women are adopting a shared set of post-sexual refusal conventions.

Educational differences in alcohol consumption and heavy drinking: An age-period-cohort perspective

BackgroundLow socioeconomic status (SES) has been associated with lower alcohol consumption, but also with heavier drinking. To explain this contradictory relationship, we examined SES differences in drinking patterns from an age-period-cohort (APC) perspective. MethodsData are from seven waves of the U.S. National Alcohol Surveys from 1979 to 2010. As a proxy for SES, educational attainment was used. Past-year alcohol volume was calculated from frequency (never-to-every day) and usual quantity (1–2, 3–4, or 5–6 drinks). Past-year frequency of heavy episodic drinking was labelled as total days of 5+ drinks. Gender-stratified APC fixed-effects models were conducted controlling for demographics and adjusting for survey design and weights. ResultsSignificant APC effects by education were found, but the direction varied by alcohol measure. Education and total volume were positively associated across APC. Cross-over effects for age occurred with a positive education-heavy drinking relationship in young adulthood and negative relationship in mid-adulthood. Cohort-by-education effects showed greater heavy drinking among less educated women in 1956–60 cohort and more educated men and women in younger cohorts (post-1976). ConclusionsHigher SES is consistently associated with total volume across age, period, and cohort, but less consistently with heavy drinking. While there are currently significant intervention efforts to reduce heavy drinking in young adulthood, our study suggests the need for age-specific strategies targeting lower-SES groups in mid-adulthood and cohort-specific strategies for lower-SES women in the baby boomer cohort and higher-SES men and women in younger birth cohorts.

Childlessness in Twentieth-Century Spain: A Cohort Analysis for Women Born 1920\u20131969

Studies of childlessness in the twentieth century in developed countries have underscored the existence of diverging trends with higher levels among cohorts born at the beginning of the twentieth century, lower ones among the baby boom cohorts and finally higher ones for cohorts born after the Second World War. Spain also shows these basic trends, but the fit is not identical to that of other countries, with differences affecting the timing of trend changes and also the levels of childlessness observed in the final part of the period. This paper focuses on Spanish women born 1920 and 1969 and explores the factors characterizing traditional/old childlessness and how these differ from those holding more recently. Using microdata from Spanish Census of 2011, our approach makes use of logistic regression and regression-based decomposition techniques. Change over time, as measured by inter-cohort variations, reveals strikingly different patterns of behaviour characterized by a reversal of the traditional association of childlessness with marital status and educational attainment that takes place in a period of intense and pervasive social change.

PROTOCOL: Voluntary work for the physical and mental health of older volunteers.

PROTOCOL: Voluntary work for the physical and mental health of older volunteers.

Class and Health Inequality in Later Life: Patterns, Mechanisms and Implications for Policy.

The growth of the post-retirement population, which has occurred as a result of rapid growth in life expectancy coupled with the ageing of the baby boomer cohort, has led to significant concern. This concern, however, typically neglects the heterogeneity of later life experiences and how these are patterned by inequalities that reflect how process of social stratification continue to operate into later life. This paper draws on a programme of work, based on analysis of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, to empirically examine questions of inequality in later life. It begins by illustrating the patterning of health inequality. It then investigates the importance of later life contexts and events in shaping inequality through and after the retirement process. In doing so it examines the extent to which later life continues to reflect stable social structures that shape inequalities and, consequently, health and wellbeing in later life. The paper then illustrates how the effects of socioeconomic position on health in later life can be theorised as a product of class processes, borrowing in part from Bourdieu. Other dimensions of inequality, such as gender, ethnicity, area and sexuality, are not discussed here. The paper concludes with a discussion of the need for a close focus on inequalities in later life in research, policy and practice.

New Therapies for Treating Hepatitis C Virus: Impact on Laboratory Testing Recommendations and Clinical Management

Hepatitis C infection affects close to 150 million people worldwide. In the US, it is estimated that as many as 5 million people have been infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV),7 many of whom are unaware of their infection. Some individuals clear the infection on their own, but the overwhelming majority of patients (approximately 75%) develop chronic infection, which can be asymptomatic for many years. Ultimately, chronic HCV infection can lead to cirrhosis, and potentially liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. In the US, HCV is now the most common indication for liver transplantation, and it accounts for more deaths each year than all other reportable infectious diseases combined, including HIV. The latest generation of direct-acting antivirals (DAA) has the potential to cure the disease in at least 95% of patients. Although the cost of these medications is slowly declining, they are still expensive (∼$30000–$100 000 per case), and states have varying health-care coverage limitations as to who can be treated. That said, the first step in eliminating the virus is identifying those with infection. To this end, the CDC has recommended one-time baby-boomer cohort screening as the prevalence of infection is highest in those born between 1945–1965. More recently, we have seen an increase in the rate of infection in individuals 20–40 years of age, which has been associated with increased injection drug use in the current US opioid epidemic. The currently recommended laboratory testing algorithm involves first screening for HCV antibodies (HCV Ab) via immunoassay. For those patients with positive HCV Ab results, follow-up HCV RNA testing is necessary to differentiate those who have spontaneously cleared the infection from those who have become chronically infected and need further medical care. Studies have shown that, even with a successful screening program, many patients do not get the necessary …

Residential mobility in Australia and the United States: a retrospective study

Background: Levels of internal migration vary significantly between countries. Australia and the United States consistently record among the highest levels of migration anywhere in the world. Very little is known, however, about the factors underlying mobility differentials. We argue that this is because existing evidence is almost exclusively based on period measures applied to cross-sectional data.
 Aims: We seek to advance understanding of cross-national variations in levels of residential mobility by drawing on a newly proposed suite of cohort migration measures, coupled with the recent release of internationally comparable retrospective residential history data.
 Data and methods: Focusing on the early cohort of baby boomers born between 1947 and 1951, the paper examines residential mobility levels and patterns in early and mid-adulthood in Australia and the United States and compares them with 14 European countries. Differences in completed levels of residential mobility are assessed in terms of four components: the proportion of a cohort who moved at least once; mean age at first move; mean age at last move; and average interval between moves.
 Results: While cohort analysis confirms high levels of mobility in Australia and the United States, it does not support the notion of a common ‘new world’ mobility regime distinct from other advanced economies.
 Conclusion: A cohort perspective offers refined insights into population mobility. The increasing availability of retrospective survey data means that researchers can now apply cohort measures to a wide range of countries.

Does studying the past help us understand the future? an examination of the expectations of Gen X knowledge workers

Three demographic realities (large baby boom cohort, increasing longevity, declining birthrates) are driving unprecedented global shifts in population age distribution and require organizations wishing to attract, retain and engage mid-career, potentially disenfranchised talent in the 35 to 45-year-old age bracket (i.e. ‘Gen X’) to rethink management practices. This situation motivated the present research – a multi-method case study of Gen X knowledge workers that theoretically develops and uses objectivist grounded theory data analysis methodology to empirically test a typology describing possible subgroups within this cohort of employees who differ in terms of their formative experiences in the labor market. Analysis of data identified four subgroups within our sample of Gen X knowledge workers which share various similarities but also differ dramatically concerning what they expect from and how they view their current employer. Findings support the idea that different formative labor market experiences can result in generational sub-cohorts who want different things from employers and perceive the world differently. These findings can be used by researchers to launch further study of other potential subgroups in Gen X and other generational cohorts, and to organizations and practitioners in developing more effective recruitment and retention strategies for Gen X knowledge workers.

Looking for Japan's missing third baby boom.

High-income countries are now experiencing a decline in fertility. After experiencing baby booms in 1947-1949 and 1971-1974, Japan's population has been decreasing since 2015. In an attempt to predict the next baby boom, we searched for any upward demographic trends occurring after 1974. We analyzed time trends of the numbers and rates of live births, stillbirths and induced abortions using Japanese government data from 1975 to 2014. We then selected two birth cohorts: the first baby boomers who were 0-4 years old in 1950, and the second baby boomers who were 0-4 years old in 1975, and analyzed their rates of live births, stillbirths, and abortions by five-year age groups. There was no upswing in the numbers of births, stillbirths, or induced abortions; however, the abortion rate increased during 1996-2002. Compared with the first baby boomer cohort, the second baby boomer cohort had half the peak live birth rate for the same age group (25-29 years old), and half the peak rate of abortions, with a shift toward a younger age group (20-24). This analysis of Japanese fertility trends derived from all pregnancy outcomes showed no upward trend in fertility in Japan since 1974.

SECULAR FERTILITY DECLINES, BABY BOOMS, AND ECONOMIC GROWTH: INTERNATIONAL EVIDENCE

We present a model capable of explaining 200 years of declining fertility, 200 years of rising educational achievement, and a significant baby boom for the United States and twenty other industrialized market countries. We highlight the importance of secularly declining young adult mortality risk for producing secularly declining fertility and a sudden decline in housing costs after the end of the Second World War, but ending by 1970. In addition, we introduce a new puzzle for the profession: Given the magnitude of the Baby Boom, roughly equal to fertility in 1900 for many of these countries, why did schooling of the Baby Boom cohorts not fall to the 1900 level of their predecessors? In fact, not only did it not fall, but the schooling levels of these cohorts are higher than for previous cohorts. Using a quantitative model, we are able to identify the magnitude of the reduction in costs of education necessary to explain this paradoxical increase in schooling. We produce a novel data set on historical education expenditures with over 1,500 observations. We find empirical support for these cost reductions.

Asset Depletion, Chronic Financial Stress, and Mortgage Trouble Among Older Female Homeowners.

The Great Recession disproportionately impacted older adults and women of color, suggesting that women may be entering retirement without adequate assets. However, the current literature lacks a detailed account of women's experiences of mortgage trouble and foreclosure, as well as a longitudinal view of how these experiences impacted their overall financial assets. Grounded in cumulative inequality theory, this mixed methods study employed a QUAL→quan approach to gather qualitative data from a sample of 21 older adult women regarding their experiences of mortgage trouble. Quantitative longitudinal data was gathered for a subsample of the Early Baby Boomer Cohort using the Health and Retirement Study. Qualitative findings indicated women approaching retirement experienced chronic underemployment, wage stagnation, and financial volatility as contributors to asset depletion and eventual mortgage default or foreclosure. Quantitative results indicated asset depletion both during and post-Recession was considerably more pronounced among older adult women of color compared to older adult White men. These findings suggest that a lifetime of financial disadvantage coupled with macroeconomic instability situates older adult women, particularly women of color, in a financially vulnerable position for retirement. The ways in which 2017 attacks on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Dodd-Frank, and the Fiduciary rule carry potential to further destabilize this population are also discussed.

The Experiences of Clinicians Caring for Older Adults with Dual Diagnosis: An Exploratory Study

ABSTRACTDual diagnosis has been identified as a significant challenge to mental health services, resulting in higher rates of psychiatric relapse and greater illness severity. Much research explores dual diagnosis in the adult mental health cohort, however little research attention has been paid to older adults with dual diagnosis. Far from being a trivial issue, preliminary studies have shown that dual diagnosis in older adults is under diagnosed and poorly identified by clinicians with few specific treatment options available. In addition, studies of the ageing baby boomer cohort demonstrate a potential for dual diagnosis presentations to increase in the coming years. This article explores the experiences of a clinical team providing care to older adults with dual diagnosis in Melbourne, Australia, through a semi-structured interview process. The participants described a number of systemic barriers to providing care to the older adults with dual diagnosis presenting to the mental health service, in addition to feeling poorly prepared and expressing a degree of clinical helplessness. Additionally, the participants described service improvement, which included a strong dual diagnosis culture in the leadership team of the mental health service and role modelling dual diagnosis competent practice among clinicians.

Activity selection among baby boomer national park visitors: The search for a sense of adventure

The U.S. population continues to age, and the large baby boomer cohort is a major influencer. The activity selection of baby boomer visitors to national parks is therefore explored. The literature suggests baby boomers are a group with diverse outdoor interests. Some are interested in adventurous pursuits, while others are interested in more tame forms of recreation. A quantitative study was conducted in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (SEKI) in California to see if this cohort is unique in terms of outdoor activity interests. In-person surveys collected at SEKI were used to obtain a sample of 403 individuals within the baby boomer age range. The findings suggest that a majority of baby boomers prefer to participate in outdoor activities in SEKI. They see themselves as healthy and active, and enjoy participating in moderate to strenuous, somewhat risky outdoor activities. Management implicationsFor park managers, this research identifies the activities in which baby boomers choose to participate. This research will allow for informed decisions to be made, such as whether to modify existing signage, educate the cohort on the potential resource issues of entering the backcountry with little to no training or experience, and determine whether some resources near developed areas should be made more accessible. Baby boomer visitors are more active than the typical visitor; they engage in many outdoor recreation activities. At the same time, they are aging and may be less prepared for some of the activities they seek out. Overall, this research may enable park managers to adapt by tailoring communication and perhaps facilities and offerings to the large baby boomer cohort.