In order to answer the first research question, concerning the existence of a graded association between occupational grade and quality of life, Figure 2 displays mean quality of life in 2005 in relation to occupational grade in 1989.
It shows a graded relationship between occupational grade in 1989 and quality of life 16 years later following retirement, with a difference of more than five units between participants who were employed in the lowest (1 3) and highest grades.
Conclusion: The graded relationship between occupational grade in mid-life and quality of life after labour market exit was largely accounted for by more recent socio-economic circumstances and state of health.
In this prospective study of retired employees from the French GAZEL occupational cohort, there was a finely graded relationship between higher occupational grade in mid-life and better quality of life 16 years later, following retirement.
Occupational grade was used to measure social position; such gradings have been found to precisely define occupational hierarchies and are excellent indicators of mid-life social position (Hoven & Siegrist, 2013; Marmot et al., 1998).
Results: Higher occupational grade in 1989 was associated, in a graded relationship, with better quality of life 16 years later.
There is little evidence, either, of social class exerting much of a hold – Conservative support is not much lower among the lowest DE occupational grade (30%) than it is among AB professionals (34%).
Rage is the dominant sentiment across just about every sub-stratum of the electorate, but is especially marked among men, northerners, voters over 45 and the lower DE occupational grade.
Other studies have failed to document differences in the presence of CAC by SES defined by income, education or occupational grade in asymptomatic individuals [12], [25].
Occupational grade was self-reported by nonretired participants.
Female gender and more years since retirement were associated with lower occupational grade; greater age and higher age at retirement were positively correlated with occupational grade.
