Occupational Ability Research Articles

The Impact of Disability Acceptance on Self-Efficacy among Working Individuals with Disabilities: Focusing on the Mediating Role of Occupational Ability

The Impact of Disability Acceptance on Self-Efficacy among Working Individuals with Disabilities: Focusing on the Mediating Role of Occupational Ability

Research on Predicting the Status of Returning to Work for Injured Workers Based on the ICF Upper Limb Vocational Ability Assessment System

<i>Objective</i>: To verify the accuracy and effectiveness of the ICF Upper Limb Vocational Ability Assessment System (ULVAAS) in assessing the occupational capacity of patients with upper extremity injuries. <i>Methods</i>: The ICF-ULVAAS tool was applied to assess the work ability of 119 patients and suggestions for returning to work were given. After discharge, their work status was determined through telephone follow-up for 3 months. The evaluated resumption of work suggestions were compared and analyzed with their actual resumption of work status, in order to verify the predictive accuracy of the ULVAAS. <i>Results</i>: The K coefficient of consistency between the predicted return to work suggestion based on the assessment of upper limb occupational ability and the actual work status of the patient after discharge was 0.322 (p<0.001), with an overall accuracy of 85.71%. The consistency between the therapist's advice on resuming work and the patient's actual resumption of work status is not significantly correlated with their educational background and occupational nature. <i>Conclusion</i>: The ULVAAS based on the ICF can effectively assess the vocational ability of patients with hand and upper extremity injuries, and provide appropriate recommendations for returning to work based on the assessment results.

Relationships Between Physical Ability Test Performance and Fitness in Recruits From a Southeastern U.S. Police Department.

Lockie, RG, Orr, RM, Sanchez, KJ, Gonzales, SM, Viramontes, E, Kennedy, K, and Dawes, JJ. Relationships between physical ability test performance and fitness in recruits from a southeastern U.S. police department. J Strength Cond Res 38(8): 1472-1478, 2024-Police recruit occupational ability may be predicted by a physical ability test (PAT). This study determined relationships between a department-specific PAT and fitness test performance among police recruits. Retrospective analysis was conducted on recruit data (1,069 men and 404 women) from one department collected during 2005-2009 and 2016-2020. The following data were provided: grip strength; sit-and-reach; 60-second push-ups; 60-second sit-ups; 2.4-km run; and the PAT. The PAT involved exiting a vehicle and opening the trunk; running ∼201 m; completing an obstacle course; dragging a 68-kg dummy 31 m; completing an obstacle course and running ∼201 m; dry firing a weapon 6 times with each hand; and trunk item placement and vehicle reentry. Relationships between the PAT and fitness tests were measured by partial correlations and stepwise linear regression, both controlling for sex. The PAT was completed in a mean time of 4:16 ± 1:07 minutes:seconds. The PAT significantly ( p < 0.001) related to all fitness tests. Moderate relationships were found for push-ups ( r = -0.35), sit-ups ( r = -0.41), and the 2.4-km run ( r = -0.43). Small relationships were found with grip strength ( r = -0.19) and the sit-and-reach ( r = -0.17). The final regression model, which included sex and all fitness tests except the sit-and-reach, explained ∼53% of the variance. Sex and the 2.4-km run explained ∼47% of the variance. Aerobic fitness appeared to have the greatest impact on PAT performance, which may have related to the PAT design and duration. Tasks completed in succession, and the use of a relatively light dummy, may stress aerobic fitness and muscular endurance to a greater extent.

Analysis of Synergistic Effect of Energy Efficiency Improvement and Vocational Competence Development

INTRODUCTION: Growing global energy demand and constant competition for energy resources have made energy efficiency a focus of international attention. At the same time, occupational competency development is crucial for sustained individual and overall economic growth.OBJECTIVES: This study explores the synergistic effects of energy efficiency improvement and occupational competence development to inform policy-making and business strategies.METHODS: A literature review summarises relevant theories and research progress on energy efficiency improvement and occupational capability development. Then, the relationship between energy efficiency improvement and vocational ability development was analyzed in depth using econometric models and a large amount of empirical data.RESULTS: There is a significant positive association between energy efficiency improvement and vocational ability development. Specifically, improving energy efficiency not only reduces the cost of energy consumption and enhances productivity but also helps promote technological innovation and industrial upgrading, which in turn enhances the level of occupational ability of workers. In turn, improving occupational ability further encourages technological innovation and productivity in enterprises, forming a virtuous circle and promoting the sustainable development of the economy.CONCLUSION: This study reveals the synergistic effect between energy efficiency improvement and vocational competence development, emphasizing the critical role of energy efficiency improvement and vocational competence development in promoting economic growth and achieving sustainable development.

Rational timepoint of medical rehabilitation in chronic tinnitus : Applying for rehabilitation options for achronic course

Chronic tinnitus is acommon symptom of the auditory system. Acausal therapy does not yet exist. The recommended treatment includes expert counseling, psychotherapeutic interventions, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy, and measures to improve hearing. The treatment modules are multimodal and can be combined individually. Depending on the severity of the different disease dimensions (tinnitus and comorbidities), arehabilitative approach may be useful for maintaining health and occupational ability. In addition to athorough and well-founded diagnosis and counseling, specific cognitive behavioral therapy and non-specific psychotherapeutic interventions (mindfulness/relaxation) on an individual or group basis, physiotherapy, and exercise, as well as auditory rehabilitation measures (hearing aids, auditory therapy) in the context of multimodal therapy approaches are necessary.

Adaptation of buildings to climate change: an overview

Buildings worldwide have evolved based on local resources and skills, evolving form and orientation to ensure a productive and comfortable indoor environment. Traditional habitations rely on passive climate-responsive mechanisms and physiological resilience. At the same time, contemporary buildings rely increasingly on active mechanisms for fine-tuned convenience and comfort. Those buildings are becoming less habitable due to climate change. This paper presents an overview of research into climate-responsive building adaptation, identifying various factors determining a building’s ability to regulate external climatic conditions in providing a habitable indoor environment. The review covers the ability of occupants to manage their thermal environment and adaptation mechanisms, including various adaptation strategies attributed to climate change. Besides a review of relevant research tools and methodologies, the paper also identifies future research challenges. Those challenges include but are not limited to evaluating climate classification provided by building standards given climate change, the need for region-specific climate-change vulnerability assessment of the built environment to develop specific adaptation strategies, a survey of vernacular structures to understand their inherent adaptation capacities, developing a framework to study building adaptation, etc. Thus, this review opens the possibility of further research in building adaptation.

Construction of The Professional Competency Evaluation Index System for Flight Attendant Specialty in Chinese Higher Vocational Education

This study aims to build a comprehensive and scientific Chinese high-vocational airliner professional ability evaluation index system to solve the challenges and needs of the current evaluation system. Based on existing research, this study is based on the understanding and application of the theory of occupational ability evaluation, combined with the DACUM method to conduct initial occupational analysis, use of the Delphi method to integrate the feedback of experts in the field of flight attendants and refer to the successful experience of the relevant flight attendants' vocational capabilities. This study built a framework for the evaluation index system. First, through the optimization and adjustment of the two-round Delphi method, the evaluation index system was clarified, the layer analysis method (AHP) was used for quantitative analysis, the weight of each indicator was finally determined, and a hierarchical structure model was constructed. This study has established a practical evaluation index system for China Airlines' vocational professional capability, covering output services, navigation services, reactions, and other necessary capabilities and qualities, including 4 First-level indicators, 12 second-level indicators, And 51 Third-level indicators. The evaluation indicators constructed by the Institute provide a scientific reference framework for training the professional competency of flight attendants. This study provides substantial guidance for the flight attendant specialty's training content and training scheme in Chinese higher vocational education. Efficiency, reduce training costs, and provide scientific reference for the talent training of the entire flight attendant industry.

Mixed reality drills of indoor earthquake safety considering seismic damage of nonstructural components

The damaged indoor nonstructural components in the earthquake often cause casualties. To improve the indoor earthquake safety capacity of occupants, a mixed reality (MR) drill method for indoor earthquake safety considering seismic damage of nonstructural components is proposed. First, an MR device, HoloLens, is used to capture indoor point clouds, and the indoor three-dimensional scene is reconstructed using point clouds. Subsequently, the seismic motion models of indoor components are established, so that the indoor nonstructural seismic damage scene is constructed using the physics engine and displayed using HoloLens. Finally, a guidance algorithm for a safe zone was designed for the drills. Taking a typical office as an example, an indoor earthquake safety drill was performed. The drill results show that the proposed MR method can increase the average efficiency of moving to a safe zone by 43.1%. Therefore, the outcome of this study can effectively improve the earthquake safety ability of occupants, thereby reducing casualties.

Exploration of Teaching Mode Reform of Ideological and Political Courses in Higher Vocational Colleges from the Perspective of Professional Quality

Higher vocational colleges as an important place for talent cultivation, facing the new requirements of the development of the new era, how to reform the ideological and political course teaching mode of higher vocational colleges based on professional quality is the main topic of practical education reform exploration. Professional quality refers to a comprehensive performance of workers' understanding and adaptability to social occupation, which is embodied in occupational situation, occupational personality, occupational ability and occupational interest. On the basis of understanding the current situation of ideological and political course education in higher vocational colleges, according to the relationship between ideological and political course teaching and professional quality training, this paper mainly starts from three aspects of teaching objectives, teaching methods and evaluation system, and puts forward reform countermeasures to meet the requirements of enterprises for talents' professional quality in the new era.

대학생의 프로티언 경력태도와 진로적응성의 관계에서 진로준비행동의 매개효과

Objectives The purpose of this study is to analyze the mediating effects of career preparation behavior on relations between protean career attitudes and career adaptability in college students.&#x0D; Methods For this purpose, the investigator conducted a survey with 350 college students around the nation on September 2~8, 2022 to measure their protean career attitudes, career adaptability, and career preparation behavior. The data from 298 questionnaires were analyzed in descriptive statistics, reliability, correlation, and mediating effects.&#x0D; Results First, there were statistically positive correlations among the protean career attitudes, career preparation behavior, and career adaptability of college students. And second, overall career preparation behavior and its sub-variables including self-understanding, enhancement of occupational abilities, and inquiry into the occupational world had partial mediating effects on relations between protean career attitudes and career adaptability. Of the sub-variables, self-understanding behavior had high mediating effects. These findings demonstrate that college students with a protean career attitude know what they need to achieve what they desire for their future and make active preparations for their careers, thus making a successful adaptation in the occupational world.&#x0D; Conclusions The study demonstrated that protean career attitudes were a very important variable in college students taking the initiative in pioneering, preparing, and practicing their careers based on their values in the rapidly changing occupational world by analyzing the relations and mediating effects of protean career attitudes, career preparation behavior, and career adaptability, thus holding its significance.

Effect of long-term cochlear implant use on education and occupation: A systematic review

Abstract Purpose: Cochlear implant (CI) technology has improved significantly positively impacting the quality-of-life of the users. Over the past few decades. Nevertheless, the results of the studies on the academic performance of CI users are contradictory in the literature. Aim and objective: The current study aimed to systematically review the articles published in the past 10 years (2011–2021) on the effect of the long-term use of CIs on education and occupational outcomes. Method: The reviewers selected 10 articles from 11,037 in various databases in this systematic review. Results: The review showed mixed results from the selected studies. Some research found that CIs users did worse than their typical peers. In contrast, a few other studies found that CI recipients performed equal to or better than their typical peers or the general population. CI recipients have considerably lower occupational levels than the general population. Many factors could influence educational and occupational outcomes in long-term CI users. Conclusion: Even though there are varied results regarding educational outcomes in long-term CI users, some studies showed good academic performance in CI recipients. However, there is a need for more studies to understand better the factors that affect the educational and occupational abilities of long-term CI users.

A Study on the Relationship between Disability Support of Workplace and Job Satisfaction for Youth with Developmental Disabilities: Examination of the Double Mediation Effect of Occupational Ability and Job Adaptation

본 연구는 발달장애 청년을 대상으로 실시한 직장의 장애 관련 지원이 직무만족에 미치는 영향에서 직업적 능력과 직무적응의 이중매개효과를 검증하는 데 목적이 있다. 이를 위해 ｢2020년 발달장애인 일과 삶 실태조사｣ 응답 자료를 활용하였으며, 만 19세 이상 만 40세 미만의 발달장애 청년 중 현재 취업상태인 576명의 자료를 최종 분석에 활용하였다. 분석은 SPSS PROCESS macro 프로그램을 활용하여 매개변수가 2개인 직렬다중 매개모형 검증을 통해 이중매개효과를 확인하였으며, 부트스트랩을 활용하여 매개효과의 유의성을 검증하였다. 본 연구의 주요 결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 발달장애청년에 대한 직장의 장애 관련 지원은 직업적 능력에, 직업적 능력은 직무 적응에, 직무 적응은 직무만족에 정적으로 유의한 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났으나, 직업 관련 직장의 지원이 발달장애 청년의 직무만족에 미치는 직접 효과는 통계적으로 유의하지 않은 것으로 나타났다. 둘째, 직장의 장애 관련 지원이 발달장애 청년의 직무만족에 이르는 경로에서 직업적 능력과 직무 적응을 순차적으로 경유하는 간접효과 경로만이 유의한 것으로 나타나 이중매개효과가 확인되었다. 이러한 결과를 토대로 취업한 발달장애 청년의 직무만족을 높이고, 직무 능력과 직무적응도를 높임으로써 사측에도 긍정적인 영향을 미치는 직장의 장애 관련 지원 확대의 필요성을 제시하였다The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of disability-related support at work for youth with developmental disabilities on job satisfaction and verify double mediation effect of occupational ability and job adaptation. We used the data of ｢2020 Survey on Work and Life Survey for Developmental Disabilities｣and the responses of 576 people who are currently employed among young people with developmental disabilities aged 19 to 39 were used for the analysis. As analysis methods, the double mediation effect was confirmed through serial multiple mediation model verification and the significance of the double mediation effect was verified by bootstrap using the SPSS PROCESS macro program. The main results of this study are as follows. First, it was found that workplace disability-related support for young people with developmental disabilities had a positively significant effect on occupational ability, occupational ability on job adaptation, and job adaptation on job satisfaction. but the direct effect of disability- related support of workplace on job satisfaction was not significant. Second, in the path that disability-related support at work leads to job satisfaction of youth with developmental disabilities, only the indirect effect of sequentially passing through job ability and job adaptation was significant, confirming the double mediating effect. Based on these results, we suggested the necessity of expanding disability-related support in the workplace which has a positive effect on job satisfaction by increasing the job ability and job adaptability of working youth with developmental disabilities.

A model developed for predicting thermal comfort during sleep in response to appropriate air velocity in warm environments

Using air movement to improve sleeping environments is widely practiced in summer; while research into how to evaluate thermal comfort and sleep quality under such non-uniform environments is lacking, due to the greatly reduced ability of occupants to adjust to the immediate environments during sleep. This study conducted climate chamber sleeping experiments under a combination of conditions of temperature (28 / 30 / 32 °C), relative humidity (50% / 80%), and air velocity (0.39 / 0.69 / 1.17 m / s). The results showed that the appropriate air velocities alleviated the thermal discomfort caused by higher temperature and humidity; however, when the temperature was higher than 32 °C and coupled with high humidity, the cooling efficiency of air velocity was reduced significantly. The subjective evaluations of sleep quality were consistent with the measured sleep indicators - Total Sleep Time (TST), Sleep Onset Latency (SOL), and Slow Wave Sleep (SWS) - indicating that recall-based sleeping evaluations after waking up could reflect the actual sleep quality to some degree. A developed PMVs model was proposed considering three aspects of the body heat exchanges: the parts in contact with the mattress (e.g. back, buttocks), the parts covered by the quilts or clothes (e.g. abdomen, chest), and the parts directly exposed to the air (e.g. head, arms, legs). The upper temperature and humidity limits, appropriate air velocity zones, and different bedding thermal insulation levels were thus obtained. The work can guide the application of local ventilation devices in sleeping environments in summer and contribute to reducing the use of air conditioners and achieving energy savings in residential buildings. • Explore sleep thermal comfort in warm-humid environments with air movement. • Increased airflows improve the sleeping thermal comfort except for hot-humid condition. • Subjective evaluations are consistent with measured sleep indicators such as Total Sleep Time (TST). • Develop a PMVs model including three heat exchange aspects with/without body coverings. • Appropriate temperature, humidity and air velocity designs are obtained by PMVs model.

Thermal response and thermal comfort evaluation of the split air conditioned residential buildings

In China, split air conditioned (SAC) buildings operate in manual changeover mixed-mode (MM) that integrates air conditioned (AC) mode and natural ventilation (NV) mode in summer. In order to understand the thermal response of such buildings and determine the thermal comfort evaluation method, 522 data were collected from residential buildings in Jiaozuo. In summer, occupants in AC mode had a cooler thermal history than in NV mode because the mean operative temperature in AC mode was lower than in NV mode. And the occupants in AC mode felt cooler, drier, windier, more comfortable and had greater acceptability than occupants in NV mode, but the upper limit of 80% acceptable temperature was close, about 30 °C. Short-term indoor thermal history mainly affects thermal sensation and thermal preference, while perceived control mainly influences thermal comfort and thermal acceptability. The different operating modes in summer have no significant influence on the thermal adaptive ability of occupants, so the thermal comfort of SAC buildings could be evaluated as a whole. When the outdoor temperature is below 30 °C, occupants can take advantage of physiological, psychological and behavioral adjustments to improve their thermal comfort, so adopting the adaptive model for evaluation is recommended. However, when the outdoor temperature exceeds 30 °C, the above adaptative opportunities are limited, and the upper limit of acceptable temperature for occupants is 30 °C. This study promotes the understanding of the impacts of different operating modes on thermal response, and provides support for the thermal comfort evaluation of SAC buildings.

Spatio-temporal evolution of the container port system along the 21st-century Maritime Silk Road

ABSTRACT Research on the spatio-temporal evolution of the port system along the 21st-century Maritime Silk Road (MSR) can reveal the development law of ports. This study adopts the Herfindahl-Hirschman index, rank-size law, and an improved spatial and temporal correlation to investigate the spatial distribution and spatio-temporal correlation characteristics of container ports along the MSR during 2000–2019. The results show that 1) the distribution trends among port clusters have significant differences, and the gravity centre of the port system gradually shifts from Europe to Asia (market shares of European and Asian ports decline from 28.15% to 19.83% and increase from 63.80% to 66.78%, respectively); 2) the port system undergoes periodic ‘decentralisation–agglomeration–decentralisation’, and its structure gradually develops a ‘spindle’ or ‘olive’ shape; 3) the initial effect of MSR arises on the economic development of ports, and the spatial occupation ability of small- and medium-sized port clusters increases steadily; and 4) the spatial and temporal correlation gradually increases. The evolution of temporal correlation is more complicated with a bifractal structure in 2000–2010. This study can provide decision support for port development and thus clarifies the investment environment and construction of MSR.

Relations Between Willingness to Work According to the Classification of Occupational Abilities of Unemployed Persons with Developmental Disabilities

Relations Between Willingness to Work According to the Classification of Occupational Abilities of Unemployed Persons with Developmental Disabilities

Research on a Fractal Dimension Calculation Method for a Nano-Polymer Microspheres Dispersed System.

Polymer microspheres (PMs) are a kind of self-similar volume expansion particle, and their fractal dimension varies with hydration swelling. However, there is no unique fractal dimension calculation method for their characteristics. A new model is established in this paper, which is particular to calculate the fractal dimension of PMs. We carried out swelling hydration experiments and scanning electron microscope (SEM) experiments to verify the new model. The new model and the box-counting model were used to calculate the fractal dimensions of PMs based on the hydration experiment results. Then, a comparison of the calculation results of the two methods was used to verify the validity of the model. Finally, according to the new model calculation results, the fractal dimension characteristics of PMs were analyzed. The research results indicate that the new model successfully correlates the cumulative probability of the PMs dispersed system with the fractal dimension and makes fractal dimension calculation of PMs more accurate and convenient. Based on the experiment results, the new model was used to calculate the fractal dimension of PMs and the box-counting model, and its findings were all 2.638 at initial state hydration and 2.739 and 2.741 at hydration time as of day 1. This result verifies the correctness of the new model. According to the hydration swelling experiments and the new model calculation results, the fractal dimension is linear correlated to the average particle size of PMs and the standard deviation average particle size. This means the fractal dimension of PMs represents the space occupancy ability and space occupancy effectiveness.

Questionnaire survey investigation of the present status of dietetic consultation at community pharmacies from the perspectives of registered dietitians and pharmacists

BackgroundRegistered dietitians are rarely employed at community pharmacies in Japan, even though dietetic advice might benefit some patients.ObjectiveTo clarify the present status of dietetic consultation provided by registered dietitians and their collaboration with pharmacists in community pharmacies.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey of pharmacists and registered dietitians who work in community pharmacies. The surveyed items were: frequency of dietetic consultation, awareness of one’s knowledge and ability to conduct dietetic consultation, concerns, pharmacists’ recognition of the need for nutritional support at community pharmacies, and cooperation between registered dietitians and pharmacists.ResultsSixty-six registered dietitians, 53 pharmacists in pharmacies with registered dietitians/dietitians, and 110 pharmacists in pharmacies without registered dietitians/dietitians responded. The frequency of dietetic consultation regarding obesity and hypertension was significantly higher for registered dietitians than for pharmacists. The ability to conduct dietetic consultation regarding diseases/conditions such as kidney disease not requiring dialysis, hyperuricemia, gout, obesity and hypertension was also significantly higher for dietitians than pharmacists. More than 70% of pharmacists recognized the importance of nutritional support at community pharmacies, while 56.1% of registered dietitians noted that they were not able to fully utilize their occupational abilities. Registered dietitians were divided into two groups: registered dietitians who answered that they were able to utilize their occupational abilities and those that answered they were not. The former group was more likely to ask pharmacists about patients’ medication for dietetic consultation and to be asked to provide dietetic consultation to patients. The latter group was more likely to find difficulty in scheduling dietetic consultation.ConclusionOur results suggest that registered dietitians in community pharmacies have a greater explanatory ability than pharmacists concerning nutritional and dietary management for patients. It may be important for pharmacists to improve cooperation with registered dietitians by providing more opportunities for dietetic consultation.

The experience of frontline nurses four months after COVID-19 rescue task in China: A qualitative study

AimsThe study was to explore the experience of frontline nurses four months after COVID-19 rescue task. BackgroundFrontline medical staff are prone to follow-up mental health problems and different feeling after COVID-19 rescue task. However, the experience of frontline nurses after COVID-19 rescue task has not been well described. MethodsThe study used a qualitative study design with semi-structured interview guide. Individual semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with 15 frontline nurses who were involved COVID-19 rescue task from two tertiary-A hospitals in Hefei, China from July 10, to August 28, 2020. We followed the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) checklist. ResultsFour main themes emerged from the interviews: recurring involuntary memories about the experience, feeling guilty and depressed, cultivation of occupational ability, increased professional pride and happiness. ConclusionThe study demonstrated that frontline nurses had both positive and negative experiences four months after COVID-19 rescue task. It is necessary to long-term follow up and attention to the experience of the frontline nurses after COVID-19 rescue task. These insights provide a specific direction for the psychological reconstruction of frontline nurses and the construction of nursing team. Relevance to clinical practiceNursing managers should formulate psychological reconstruction plan according to the experience of frontline nurses after COVID-19 rescue task, so as to relieve the psychological stress and promote the mental health of nurses. At the same time, we should strengthen the disaster rescue ability training of nurses should be strengthened to better respond to future rescue task.

Early- to Late-Life Environmental Factors and Late-Life Global Cognition: The SONIC study

Life environment across the life course—such as engagement in late-life leisure activity (LA), primary occupation, and early-life education—have been reported to be associated with better late-life cognitive outcomes. However, few studies have included all these factors from the past to the present due to the time-consuming procedure to measure all factors. This study examined (1) whether late-life LA is associated with better late-life cognition, after considering other life environments and (2) whether occupation, education, and childhood intelligence quotient have indirect effects on the late-life cognition through late-life LA. We used baseline data from the groups of 70- and 80-year-olds in the SONIC study (N = 1721 ). Global cognition was measured using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. As for LA, participants were asked for yes/no answers to questions regarding their engagement in 158 activities. A latent factor representing LA was used in the analyses. We retrospectively evaluated the complexity of work with data, people, and things. As early-life environments, education and language and arithmetic abilities during elementary school were included in the analyses. Age and gender were controlled. A structural equation model showed that late-life LA was significantly associated with higher global cognition, even after controlling for all past factors (RMSEA = .050, GFI = .973, AGFI = .947). Sobel tests showed significant indirect effects of occupation, education, and childhood abilities on cognitive function. Results were robust across age and gender. It is suggested that engagement in LA explains individual differences in late-life cognitive function.