Finnish Longitudinal Study Research Articles

Explaining children’s social relationships in early childhood: the role of parental social networks

ABSTRACT In this article, we examined young Finnish children’s social relationships, characteristics of their parents’ social networks and the role of parental networks in children’s peer relationships. We drew on the data collected from a Finnish longitudinal study known as Steps to the Healthy Development and Well-Being of Children. The data from two measurement points were included in the analyses to explore children’s peer relations at 13 months (N = 1, 212) and 4 years (N = 795). We further studied the association between children’s social networks at different time points and the role of parental sociodemographics and parental social relationships in predicting children’s social networks. Special emphasis was placed on examining how parental social networks are linked with children’s peer relations. Our results revealed a significant association between children’s social relationships at different time points and the significance of parental social networks for children’s peer networks.

Socioemotional functioning across the transition to lower secondary school: The role of temperament and relationships with mothers and teachers.

This Finnish longitudinal study investigated the role of relationships with mothers (n = 631) and teachers (n = 56), and adolescents' (n = 848; 53.9% girls, 46.1% boys) temperament in the development of the adolescents' socioemotional functioning during the transition to lower secondary school (Grade 6 to Grade 7; age in Grade 6: M = 12.32, SD = 0.36). The results showed that mother-adolescent closeness predicted a higher level and teacher-adolescent closeness predicted a smaller decrease in prosocial behavior. Teacher-adolescent conflict predicted a higher level, and mother-adolescent conflict predicted an increase in externalizing problems. Only temperament predicted internalizing problems. In addition, relationship quality both mediated and moderated some of the associations between temperament and socioemotional functioning.

Bayesian subcohort selection for longitudinal covariate measurements in follow‐up studies

AbstractWe propose an approach for the planning of longitudinal covariate measurements in follow‐up studies where covariates are time‐varying. We assume that the entire cohort cannot be selected for longitudinal measurements due to financial limitations, and study how a subset of the cohort should be selected optimally, in order to obtain precise estimates of covariate effects in a survival model. In our approach, the study will be designed sequentially utilizing the data collected in previous measurements of the individuals as prior information. We propose using a Bayesian optimality criterion in the subcohort selections, which is compared with simple random sampling using simulated and real follow‐up data. Our work improves the computational approach compared to the previous research on the topic so that designs with several covariates and measurement points can be implemented. As an example we derive the optimal design for studying the effect of body mass index and smoking on all‐cause mortality in a Finnish longitudinal study. Our results support the conclusion that the precision of the estimates can be clearly improved by optimal design.

Trajectories of low back pain from midlife to retirement and functional ability at old age.

BackgroundThis study aimed to identify trajectories of low back pain (LBP) over a 16-year follow-up from midlife to retirement and investigate their association with mobility limitations and disability in activities of daily living (ADL-disability) in later life.MethodsThe study population consisted of 6257 baseline (1981) respondents aged 44–58 years from Finnish Longitudinal study on Aging Municipal Employees. Repeated measurements of LBP were collected in 1985, 1992 and 1997. We studied persons who had data on LBP at baseline and in at least one of the follow-ups and had information on mobility limitations (n = 2305) and ADL-disability (n = 2359) at a 28-year follow-up in 2009. Latent class growth analysis was used to identify LBP trajectories. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations of LBP trajectory and later life mobility limitations and ADL-disability were estimated and adjusted for confounders.ResultsThree LBP trajectories with parallel shapes were identified: high-decreasing (19%), intermediate-stable (60%) and low (21%). After adjustment for confounders, high-decreasing trajectory had 3.2 times the odds (95% CI 2.1–4.9) of mobility limitations and 2.9 times the odds (95% CI 2.0–4.2) of ADL-disability as compared to low trajectory. The respective ORs for intermediate-stable trajectory were 1.6 (95% CI 1.2–2.1) and 1.7 (95% CI 1.3–2.3).ConclusionsAmong majority of respondents, LBP remained stable over the follow-up. The respondents belonging to intermediate-stable and high-decreasing trajectories of LBP had higher odds of mobility limitations and ADL-disability at old age. This highlights that LBP during midlife to retirement has far-reached consequences on functional ability at old age.

Educational inequalities in health after work exit: the role of work characteristics

BackgroundEducational inequalities in health have been widely reported. A low educational level is associated with more adverse working conditions. Working conditions, in turn, are associated with health and there is evidence that this association remains after work exit. Because many countries are raising the statutory retirement age, lower educated workers have to spend more years working under adverse conditions. Therefore, educational health inequalities may increase in the future. This study examined (1) whether there were educational differences over time in health after work exit and (2) whether work characteristics mediate these educational inequalities in health.MethodsData from five prospective cohort studies were used: The Netherlands (Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam), Denmark (Danish Longitudinal Study of Aging), England (English Longitudinal Study of Ageing), Germany (German Aging Study), and Finland (Finnish Longitudinal Study on Municipal Employees). In each dataset we used Generalized Estimating Equations to examine the relationship between education and self-rated health after work exit with a maximum follow-up of 15 years and possible mediation of work characteristics, including physical demands, psychosocial demands, autonomy, and variation in activities.ResultsThe low educated reported significantly poorer health after work exit than the higher educated. Lower educated workers had a higher risk of high physical demands and a lower risk of high psychosocial demands, high variation in tasks, and high autonomy at work, compared to higher educated workers. These work characteristics were found to be mediators of the relationship between education and health after work exit, consistent across countries.ConclusionEducational inequalities in health are still present after work exit. If workers are to spend an extended part of their lives at work due to an increase in the statutory retirement age, these health inequalities may increase. Improving working conditions will likely reduce these inequalities in health.

Trajectories of mobility limitations over 24 years and their characterization by shift work and leisure-time physical activity in midlife.

We aimed to investigate trajectories of mobility limitations (MLs) over a period of 24 years. In addition, we aimed to study how shift work and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) in midlife predict assignment to MLs trajectories separately for those retired on statutory pensions (SPs) and on disability pensions (DPs). Subjects who responded MLs questionnaires (1985-2009, N = 3048) in Finnish Longitudinal Study on Aging Municipal Employees were included in this prospective cohort study. LTPA and shift work were measured during baseline. International Classification of Functioning was used to code MLs. Growth mixture modeling was used to identify the trajectories of MLs. Odds ratio (OR) and their 95% Confidence interval (CI) were assessed by using multinomial logistic regression. We identified four trajectories of MLs, namely low persistent, low increasing, high decreasing and high persistent. Among the SP recipients, shift work with night shifts was associated with an increased risk (adjusted OR 1.49; 95% CI 1.03-2.14) of belonging to the high persistent MLs trajectory. The inactive LTPA (SP: OR 5.99, 95% CI 3.39-10.58, DP: OR 6.81, 95% CI 2.52-18.43) was similarly associated with high persistent MLs trajectory. Nearly two-thirds of the people retired due to disability belonged to high MLs trajectory. High persistent MLs trajectory was associated with physical inactivity in midlife among those retired on SP and on DP. Shift work with night shift predicted high persistent MLs in SP strata. Active involvement in LTPA during midlife could be beneficial to spend MLs free later life.

Work-related biomechanical exposure and job strain in midlife separately and jointly predict disability after 28 years: a Finnish longitudinal study.

Objectives We investigated whether the extent of biomechanical exposures and job strain in midlife separately and jointly predict disability in old age. Methods Participants of the Finnish Longitudinal Study on Aging Municipal Employees (FLAME) in 1981 (aged 44-58 years) responded to disability questionnaires in 2009 (1850 women and 1082 men). Difficulties in performing five activities of daily living (ADL) and seven instrumental ADL (IADL) were used to assess severity of disability (score range: 0-12, 0=no disability). Information on biomechanical exposures and job strain was collected by questionnaire at baseline. Adjusted prevalence proportion ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were modelled using mixed negative binomial regression with robust variance. The joint effect of two exposures was quantified using the concept of relative excessive risk due to interaction (RERI). Results The overall prevalence of disability (score: 1-12) was 46.7% (women: 41%; men: 57%). Compared to low-level exposures in an adjusted model, the PR of high baseline biomechanical exposures for each one unit increase in the disability score was 1.31 (95% CI 1.10-1.55) and PR of high job strain was 1.71 (95% CI 1.26-2.32). Associations were rather similar in gender-stratified analyses. Furthermore, the joint effect (high strain/high biomechanical) was multiplicative (women: PR 1.32, 95% CI 1.21-1.45; men: PR 1.27, 95% CI 1.13-1.44), but no additive effect was observed when fully adjusted. Conclusion High biomechanical exposure and job strain in midlife were strongly associated with the severity of disability in later life. The workplace could serve as arena for preventive interventions regarding disability in old age.

Work-Related Biomechanical Exposure and Job Strain as Separate and Joint Predictors of Musculoskeletal Diseases: A 28-Year Prospective Follow-up Study.

We investigated how work-related biomechanical exposure and job strain in midlife separately and jointly predicted back and degenerative musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs). A total of 6,257 employees participated in the Finnish Longitudinal Study on Aging Municipal Employees (FLAME) in 1981 and were followed up for 28 years. Risk ratios and the relative excessive risk due to interaction and 95% confidence intervals were modeled for separate and joint prediction estimates, respectively. After adjustment for confounders, job strain predicted degenerative MSDs among women after 4 and 11 years of follow-up. After 11 years, both exposures predicted both types of MSDs among men. Joint exposure predicted both types of MSDs after 4 years among women (for back MSDs, risk ratio (RR) = 1.58, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.15, 2.18; for degenerative MSDs, RR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.21, 2.07) and men (for back MSDs, RR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.05, 2.15; for degenerative MSDs, RR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.16, 2.22) and both types of MSDs after 11 years (for back MSDs, RR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.21, 2.43; for degenerative MSDs, RR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.25, 2.46) among men only, but the relative excessive risk due to interaction was not significant throughout. However, after 28 years, the separate and joint exposures did not predict MSDs. Workplace interventions should be focused on reducing job strain along with biomechanical exposure for possible prevention of MSDs in working life and around the time of retirement, but there may be other pathways of onset of MSDs in old age.

Midlife work ability and mobility limitation in old age among non-disability and disability retirees--a prospective study.

BackgroundLittle is known about the wellbeing and mobility limitation of older disability retirees. Personal and environmental factors, such as time spent in working life, may either exacerbate or mitigate the onset of mobility limitation in general population.We aimed to study perceived midlife work ability as a determinant of self-reported mobility limitation in old age among municipal employees who transitioned into non-disability and disability retirement.Methods4329 participants of the Finnish Longitudinal Study of Municipal Employees (FLAME) had retired during January 1985 and July 2000. They had data on retirement, perceived work ability in 1985, and self-reported mobility limitation (non-disability retirement n = 2870, men 39 %; and diagnose-specific disability retirement n = 1459, men 48 %). Self-reported mobility was measured in 1985, 1992, 1997 and 2009. The latest score available was used to assess the number of mobility limitation. Work ability was measured by asking the respondents to evaluate their current work ability against their lifetime best in 1985. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) for work ability predicting mobility limitation in non-disability and diagnose-specific disability retirement groups were calculated using Poisson regression models.ResultsThe prevalence of mobility limitation for those who transitioned into non-disability retirement (Incidence Rate, IR = 0.45, 95 % CI = 0.44–0.46) was lower compared to those who retired due to disability (IR = 0.65, CI = 0.63–0.66). A one-point increase in the work ability score decreased the risk for having one more mobility limitation among non-disability and all diagnose-specific retirement groups (musculoskeletal disease, cardiovascular disease, mental disorder, and other diseases).ConclusionsBetter midlife work ability may protect from old age mobility limitation among those who retire due to non-disability and disability. Promoting work ability in midlife may lead to more independent, active aging, regardless of type of retirement.

Type of retirement as a determinant of pre- and post-retirement hospital in-patient care use: a prospective study.

We examined prospectively the use of all-cause hospital in-patient care among public sector employees by using a 3-year pre- and post-retirement study window. A total of 5269 participants of the Finnish Longitudinal Study of Municipal Employees had retired during January 1984 and July 2000. They had register-based data on retirement (non-disability retirement n = 3411, men 40%, and diagnose-specific disability retirement n = 1858, men 50%) and all-cause hospital in-patient admissions and discharges. Analyses were conducted using Generalized Estimating Equation model. The prevalence of hospital care use for non-disability retirees remained stable during the 6-year study window. The rate ratio (RR) for hospital care use increased in the year prior to retirement for men and women who transitioned into disability retirement due to cardiovascular disease and for women with disability due to mental disease. The RRs for hospital care use in the post-retirement year decreased for men who retired due to cardiovascular disease or mental disorders and for women who retired due to cardiovascular or musculoskeletal diseases. An increase in hospital care preceding retirement in major diagnosis-specific disability retirement groups was followed by various patterns of decrease in the need of care indicated a beneficial health effect of retirement.

Inverse Effects of Midlife Occupational and Leisure Time Physical Activity on Mobility Limitation in Old Age—A 28‐Year Prospective Follow‐Up Study

To evaluate in a sample of initially middle-aged municipal employees whether leisure time (LPA) or occupational physical activity (OPA) was associated with mobility limitation (ML) in old age. Prospective population-based follow-up. Municipalities in Finland. Public sector employees from the Finnish Longitudinal Study on Municipal Employees (FLAME) initially aged 44 to 58 (N = 5,200). Baseline data were collected in 1981, including LPA (average exercise within previous year: inactive (no exercise), moderate (some form of exercise ≤ 1 time per week), vigorous (brisk exercise ≥ 1 time per week)) and OPA (usual activities at work within previous year: light (light work sitting, standing, or moving around), moderate (moderate work moving around), vigorous (heavy physical work)). Number of MLs was assessed using a questionnaire (8 items) in 1985, 1992, 1997, and 2009; the latest mobility score available for each subject was used for analyses. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for LPA and OPA predicting ML were estimated in a joint Poisson regression model adjusted for survival data; the other type of PA; and sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and health-related factors. Mean age at baseline was 50.3 ± 3.6; 56.9% of participants were female. Participants with vigorous OPA in midlife had greater risk of a unit increase in ML in old age than those with light OPA (fully adjusted IRR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.03-1.16). Participants with vigorous LPA had lower risk of ML than inactive participants (fully adjusted IRR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.76-0.86). Findings suggest that LPA and OPA in midlife have independent, inverse effects on mobility in old age in terms of a harmful effect of vigorous OPA and a protective effect of vigorous LPA.

Work ability as a determinant of old age disability severity: evidence from the 28-year Finnish Longitudinal Study on Municipal Employees.

Lower occupational class correlates with a higher disability risk later in life. However, it is not clear whether the demands made by mental and physical work relative to individual resources in midlife predict well-being in old age. This study investigated prospectively whether work ability in midlife predicts disability severity in activities of everyday living in old age. Data come from the population-based 28-year follow-up called Finnish Longitudinal Study of Municipal Employees. A total of 2879 occupationally active persons aged 44-58 years answered a questionnaire on work ability at baseline in 1981 and activities of daily living in 2009. At baseline, perceived work ability relative to lifetime best was categorized into excellent, moderate, and poor work ability. At follow-up, disability scales were constructed based on the severity and frequency of difficulties reported in self-care activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). There was a graded prevalence of ADL and IADL disability severity, according to excellent, moderate and poor midlife work ability (p<0.001). Employees with moderate midlife work ability had an 11 to 20% higher mean ADL or IADL disability severity score, compared with those with excellent midlife work ability (reference), incidence rate ratios (IRR) ranging from 1.11 (95% CI 1.01-1.22) to 1.20 (95% CI 1.10-1.30). Those with poor midlife work ability had a mean ADL or IADL disability severity score 27 to 38% higher than the referent, IRRs ranging from 1.27 (95% CI 1.09-1.47) to 1.38 (95% CI 1.25-1.53). Adjusting for socio-economics, lifestyle factors and chronic diseases only slightly attenuated the associations. Work ability, an indicator of the de- mands made by mental and physical work relative to individuals' mental and physical resources, predicted disability severity 28 years later among middle-aged municipal employees.

Associations between personality traits and psychological well-being across time in middle adulthood

Associations of personality traits with psychological well-being (PWB) were analyzed across ages 33–50 as part of an ongoing Finnish longitudinal study (initial N=369). Bivariate latent growth curve analyses indicated that a low initial level of neuroticism (.75) and high extraversion (.55) correlated strongly with a high level of PWB. Moreover, a high level of conscientiousness, openness, and agreeableness also correlated significantly with PWB. The change factor was significant only for openness: the higher the initial level of PWB, the higher the increase in openness from age 33–50. In comparison with emotional well-being, indicated by general life satisfaction, the associations of the personality traits with PWB were significantly stronger for neuroticism, extraversion, and openness.

Work ability as a determinant of old age disability severity: evidence from the 28-year Finnish Longitudinal Study on Municipal Employees

Work ability as a determinant of old age disability severity: evidence from the 28-year Finnish Longitudinal Study on Municipal Employees

Job strain among blue-collar and white-collar employees as a determinant of total mortality: a 28-year population-based follow-up

ObjectivesTo investigate the effect of job demand, job control and job strain on total mortality among white-collar and blue-collar employees working in the public sector.Design28-year prospective population-based follow-up.SettingSeveral municipals in...

Work strain in midlife and 28-year work ability trajectories

We investigated the 28-year development trajectories of work ability among initially middle-aged male and female municipal employees and the association of perceived mental and physical work strain in midlife by work ability trajectory groups. The baseline data of the Finnish longitudinal study of municipal employees (FLAME) were collected in 1981 (N=6257) with follow-ups in 1985, 1992, 1997, and 2009.Work ability was assessed in all the waves as present perceived work ability relative to lifetime best. Altogether, N=2690had work ability data in 1981 and 2009, and at least for one wave in between these years, and were included in group-based semi-parametric mixture modeling trajectory analyses. Baseline differences in mental and physical work strain according to the work ability trajectories were assessed with MANCOVA (multivariate analysis of covariance). A five-group work ability trajectory model was identified for men and a four-group model for women. For the majority, a linear decline from excellent to moderate or moderate to poor work ability was observed while non-linear trajectories with sudden collapse and, in some cases, modest subsequent recovery of work ability were also observed. Individuals who maintained their work ability on an excellent-to-moderate level throughout the follow-up more often reported low mental and physical work strain in midlife. A substantial proportion of individuals seem to maintain their work ability on a moderate level from midlife to old age. Work strain may have far-reaching negative effects on individuals' work ability from midlife to old age, warranting vigilance in maintaining and promoting work ability throughout the lifespan.

Work ability in midlife as a predictor of mortality and disability in later life: a 28-year prospective follow-up study

Poor work ability correlates with increased morbidity and early retirement from the workforce, but the association in old age is not known. We investigated work ability in midlife among white-collar and blue-collar employees as a predictor of mortality and disability 28 years later. A total of 5971 occupationally active people aged 44-58 years participated in the Finnish Longitudinal Study of Municipal Employees (FLAME) in 1981. Perceived work ability relative to lifetime best was categorized as excellent, moderate or poor. In 2009, the ability to perform activities of daily living was assessed among 2879 respondents (71.0% of the survivors). Mortality data were available up to July 2009. At the 28-year follow-up, 1918 of the 5971 participants had died and 1403 had some form of disability. Rates of death per 1000 person-years among white-collar men were 7.7 for those with excellent work ability, 14.7 for those with moderate work ability and 23.5 for those with poor work ability. Among blue-collar men, the corresponding rates were 15.5, 20.2 and 25.3. In women, rates ranged between 6.3 and 10.6 per 1000 person-years. The age-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality were two to three times higher among blue-collar male employees with lower work ability than among white-collar male employees with excellent work ability in midlife (i.e., the reference group). The odds of death or disability at follow-up compared with white-collar workers with excellent work ability were highest among blue-collar employees with poor work ability in midlife (odds ratio [OR] 4.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.82-7.37 for men; OR 3.37, 95% CI 2.28-4.98 for women). Among the survivors, similar but slightly lower risks of disability 28 years later were found. Perceived poor work ability in midlife was associated with accelerated deterioration in health and functioning and remains evident after 28 years of follow-up.

Adaptive Behavior in Childhood as an Antecedent of Psychological Functioning in Early Middle Age: Linkage Via Career Orientation

The main aim of the study was to investigate the link between child and adolescent adaptive behavior and adult psychological functioning, and the role of career orientation in this linkage. This was based on a Finnish longitudinal study, where data at ages 8, 14, and 42 were available for 118 females and 115 males. Adaptive behavior, indicated by three aspects of high self-control of emotions: constructiveness, compliance, and trustworthiness, was assessed at ages 8 and 14. Psychological functioning at age 42 was indicated by psychological well-being, self-esteem, social coherence, and trust in life. Connections between adaptive behavior and psychological functioning were studied using structural equation modeling. For males, a path from a latent variable for adaptive behavior to a latent variable for adult psychological functioning was obtained via two components of career development: (1) stable career and employment situation; and (2) the length of education and occupational status. For females, only constructiveness was linked to a latent variable for the length of education and occupational status which accounted for a latent variable for psychological functioning.

Infant novelty preference in relation to toddler language and symbolic play in a finnish longitudinal study

Infant novelty preference in relation to toddler language and symbolic play in a finnish longitudinal study

Female and male personality styles: a typological and developmental analysis.

The personality styles of 137 women and 138 men aged 27 years were examined in an ongoing Finnish longitudinal study in which the participants were first assessed at age 8. Data were collected by means of a mailed questionnaire, personality inventories, and a semistructured interview. Variables covered personality characteristics, life orientation, and behavioral activities. Both women and men fell into two major clusters, the adjusted (3/4) and the conflicted (1/4). Both clusters divided into subclusters; altogether, 7 were extracted for women and men replicating the personality types obtained by J. Block (1971) despite the use of a different methodology in a different culture. The clusters had roots in individuals' emotional and behavioral regulation from the early school years onward, and they also predicted personality characteristics over a period of 6 years when the Big Five personality factors were used as criteria.