Leader: Sara Zaniboni (UNIBO); Other collaborator(s):
Older workers are more at risk of facing exclusion and disqualification with multiple negative outcomes at different levels (e.g. wellbeing and productivity of both the worker and the organization). Addressing the different mechanics and socio-cultural factors keeping older workers healthy and engaged at work is essential in addressing societal challenges related to the aging of the workforce. From a quantitative and qualitative perspective, we will study how the aging process takes place and is handled by the organisation and senior workers. Specifically we will address the different mechanisms, factors (i .e. individual, work and organization-related elements) and representations affecting a successful and healthy aging process at work.
Brief description of the activities and of the intermediate results
After obtaining of an approval from the ethical committee and signature of the contract with data provider we have launched the first survey was launched in March-April (3 T). T1 completed, T2 and T3 ongoing.
The second survey model is currently in progress. Performing adaptation of scales and tests and, when needed, piloting.
The postdoctoral fellow hired left the project for a new more permanent position. A new recruitement is ongoing.
Main policy, industrial and scientific implications.
Our activities have focused on the data collection for Study 1 (3 waves). The goal of Study 1 is to identify behavioral and cognitive mechanisms fostering a thriving age-diverse work environment. Two new constructs have been developed for this study (i.e., Diversity mindset and Crafting for age diversity). Preliminary results (T1) related to diversity mindset and crafting for age diversity show good exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and reliability. Moreover, they positively impact organizational performance, creativity at work, and employees’ well-being, over and above HR practices and leadership.
Activities related to recruiting a junior researcher (Assegnista di Ricerca) for this task have been performed.
We started conceptual work on the design of Study 2. Specifically, activities related to the identification of the hypothesized theoretical model of study 2 have been performed.
Data collection for Study 1 has been completed (3 waves).
Activities related to the qualitative part of the project have been performed. Specifically, two focus groups were performed.
The work on the theoretical and methodological design of Study 2 continued. The goal of Study 2 is to identify behavioral and cognitive mechanisms for successful aging at work and retirement. From a methodological perspective, we have identified a set of major psychometrically validated scales, along with those still in development.
We have completed the conceptual and methodological work on Study 2, developing the conceptual model, adapting scales, and creating new constructs, including retirement crafting, which encompasses proactive actions aimed at securing resources critical for a confident transition into retirement.
We have focused on data collection for Study 2 (three waves). T1 and T2 have been completed, while T3 is ongoing and expected to be completed by January 2025. Preliminary results from the two-wave survey (T1 and T2) show that retirement crafting positively impacts expected retirement satisfaction, expected retirement adjustment, subjective health, and life satisfaction, and is negatively related to general stress.
We have completed data collection for Study 2 (three waves). Preliminary results from the longitudinal survey (T1, T2, and T3) indicate that retirement crafting at T1 positively predicted career sustainability at T2, which in turn had a positive effect on life satisfaction and a negative effect on perceived stress at T3.
We have also initiated and advanced the conceptual and methodological work of Study 3, specifically focusing on the design and development of an intervention aimed at promoting cognitive mechanisms identified in Study 1 to enhance an inclusive age-diverse workforce. As part of this process, we conducted an initial pilot study to assess the clarity and relevance of the intervention content with a small group of workers.
We have completed the conceptual and methodological work on Study 3. The goal of Study 3 is to design, develop and test the effectiveness of an intervention aimed at promoting cognitive mechanisms identified in Study 1 to enhance an inclusive age-diverse workforce.
We have focused on data collection for Study 3 (three waves). The methodology involved intervention and control groups. T1 and T2 have been completed, while T3 is ongoing and expected to be completed by July 2025.
We have also started the conceptual and methodological development of Studies 4, 5, and 6, which are the international counterparts of Studies 1, 2, and 3. This will allow us to extend the theoretical and empirical findings at the international level.
We have concluded the conceptual and methodological work of Study 4, Study 5, and Study 6. To this end, two quantitative survey and one intervention study, all designed in English and intended for administration to a European sample. The aim is to build on the findings of Studies 1, 2, and 3 by extending international evidence and further examining the cognitive and behavioral mechanisms that support a diverse and aging workforce.
Conceptual work is ongoing for Study 7, 8 and 9, which aims to explore individual, group, and organization-related factors that contribute to a successful and healthy aging process at work and a positive retirement transition.
We have developed the theoretical, methodological, and operational frameworks for Studies 7, 8, and 9, conducted at both the Italian and international levels. The goal is to explore individual, group, and organization-related factors that contribute to a successful aging process at work and a positive retirement transition.
New measurement scales related to behavioral mechanisms supporting a positive retirement transition have been developed, and both qualitative and quantitative validation processes have been carried out, following well-established validity procedures supported in the literature.
Russo, A., Costantini, A., Zaniboni, S. (2025, May 21-24). Age-diversity related beliefs and behaviors: A mixed-method study [Poster at a Congress]. 22nd European Congress of Work and Organisational Psychology, Prague, Czech Republic.
Russo, A., Zaniboni, S. & Costantini, A. (2025, June 13–14). Costruire il domani prima della pensione: il ruolo del retirement crafting e della sostenibilità della carriera nel promuovere il benessere negli over 50 [Abstract at a congress]. 17° Giornata Nazionale di Psicologia Positiva: oltre la performance. Promuovere il benessere al lavoro, Catania, Italy.
Best Contribution Award – 17th National Conference of the Italian Society of Positive Psychology (Società Italiana di Psicologia Positiva, SIPP), Catania, Italy (June 2025), for the paper “Costruire il domani prima della pensione: il ruolo del retirement crafting e della sostenibilità della carriera nel promuovere il benessere negli over 50 [Building tomorrow before retirement: The role of retirement crafting and career sustainability in promoting well-being among over-50 workers]” (Russo, Zaniboni, & Costantini).
Costantini, A., Zaniboni, S., & Russo, A. (2025, July 25-29). From planning to crafting: A proactive framework for retirement transition [Symposium abstract: Reconceptualising retirement: An interdisciplinary and multi-level focus on retirement transitions]. 85th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Costantini, A., Zaniboni, S. & Russo, A. (2025, July 25-29). Proactively shaping age-diversity at work. [Poster presentation]. PDW titled “Aging and the Multi-age workforce: New Avenues for Research and Developing Evidence-based Practice”, organized by Ilke Inceoglu. 85th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Russo, A., Zaniboni S., Ramaci T. (2025). Age management at work: come valorizzare lavoratori di diverse fasce d’età. In B. Barbieri, D. Bellini, T. Ramaci (Eds). Psicologia del Lavoro e delle Organizzazioni. Temi Emergenti e Pratiche Professionali. McGraw-Hill Education.
Russo, A., Zaniboni, S., & Costantini, A. (2025). Costruire il domani prima della pensione: Il ruolo dell’approccio proattivo al pensionamento e della sostenibilità della carriera nel promuovere il benessere negli over 50 [Contributo su periodico a cadenza annuale]. Annali della Facoltà di Scienze della Formazione, Università degli Studi di Catania. ISSN 2038-1328 / EISSN 2039-4934. in press