Author: Anne E. Noonan, Ph.D.

An exploratory study was conducted to examine two interpersonal aspects of the work lives of women and men aged 55+. Interviews were conducted with 45 older workers. "Other-orientation" was assessed qualitatively and via scaled items. "Emphasis on relational health" was assessed projectively from participants' work-life stories, but those higher in other-orientation emphasized achievement over relational health. There were no significant gender differences in other-orientation or in emphasizing relational health. Other-orientation had a borderline association with race and social class, with high scores more likely to be white, more educated, and of higher SES. Results:

1. show a high level of integration of interpersonal and achievement emphasis;
2. may point to a developmental trend towards less gender differentiation in work's interpersonal aspects; and
3. suggest that social location may be a dimension along which interpersonal factors can vary.

Project: Assessing the Relational Resources of Older Workers: The ARROW Study

Preview This Publication