Table 2 The association of pre-post exit health change with pre-exit physical demands by cohort (N = 522). General Estimating Equations with main effects, 2-way and 3-way interactions of cohort, physical demands, and within-person time. (The interaction terms including cohort are not shown, but their significance can be derived by comparing the B or OR across cohorts. See also Figs. 1–3.)

Self-rated health (continuous)

B

95% CI

B

95% CI

B

95% CI

Main part of model

Time (post- vs pre-exit)

0.13

-0.05; 0.31

-0.03

-0.17; 0.10

0.02

-0.14; 0.18

Physical demands (high vs low)

0.10

-0.12; 0.33

0.19

-0.03; 0.41†

0.16

-0.08; 0.41

Physical demands * Time

-0.13

-0.36; 0.09

0.13^a

-0.10; 0.36

-0.10^b

-0.32; 0.12

Adjustment variables (coefficients identical for the three decades)

Sex (female vs male)

-0.17

-0.31; -0.03*

Level of education

- High vs low

-0.23

-0.38; -0.08*

-Middle vs low

-0.07

-0.21; 0.06

Pre-exit working hours

-0.01

-0.01; -0.00*

Exit age

- <  = 58 vs 59–63 years

0.22

0.03; 0.41*

- >  = 64 vs 59–63 years

0.01

-0.14; 0.16

Physical limitations

OR

95% CI

OR

95% CI

OR

95% CI

Main part of model

Time (post- vs pre-exit)

2.17

1.00; 4.73†

1.00

0.54; 1.84

2.57^b

1.36; 4.85*

Physical demands (high vs low)

0.22

0.02; 2.20

1.03

0.39; 2.73

1.96

0.74; 5.22

Physical demands * Time

3.06

0.40; 23.58

1.27

0.52; 3.08

0.74

0.30; 1.83

Adjustment variables (coefficients identical for the three decades)

Sex (female vs male)

0.72

0.39; 1.32

Level of education

- High vs low

0.26

0.12; 0.57**

-Middle vs low

0.80

0.47; 1.39

Pre-exit working hours

0.98

0.96; 1.00†

Exit age

- <  = 58 vs 59–63 years

1.78

0.92; 3.45†

- >  = 64 vs 59–63 years

1.31

0.73; 2.36