Working Through It: Lifetime Experiences of Employment Discrimination Among Older Black Americans and Implications for Labor Force Participation, Job Dissatisfaction, and Mental Health in Older Adulthood

Objectives To examine lifetime experiences of employment discrimination and their association with Black older adults’ employment status and well-being. Methods We use data from the Health and Retirement Study’s leave-behind questionnaire to characterize lifetime experiences of being unfairly fired, not hired, or not promoted among Black older adults ( N = 2948) and test associations with labor force status at age 62, job satisfaction among those working, and depressive symptoms. Results Employment discrimination was commonly reported by Black older adults, especially among men and those with college educations. Employment discrimination was not associated with employment status at age 62 but was associated with job dissatisfaction (OR = 2.00, p = .001) and depressive symptoms (Beta = 0.34, p < .001). Discussion Findings suggest a negative association between employment discrimination at any point in the life course and Black older adults’ well-being. Employment discrimination is an obstacle to healthy aging, yet improved discrimination survey items are needed to fully capture its impact on Black Americans.