Work Ability in the Digital Age: The Role of Work Engagement, Job Resources and Traditional and Emerging Job Demands Among Older White-Collar Workers

Aging may lead to a gradual decline in work ability, but other factors, such as worker motivation, also play a crucial role. This study, based on the Job Demands-Resources model, examined whether work engagement, an indicator of high motivation, is positively linked to work ability in older white-collar workers. We also explored the influence of job resources (control and social support) and demands (workload and techno-complexity) on work ability, mediated by work engagement. Structured interviews were conducted with 230 bank and finance workers aged over 50, and structural equation modeling was employed to investigate our hypotheses. Work engagement was positively associated with work ability. Control and social support improved work engagement and indirectly enhanced work ability. Among job demands, techno-complexity reduced work engagement but did not affect work ability. Workload weakened the positive effects of control on work engagement and work ability. Our findings suggest that promoting work engagement in older white-collar workers by increasing autonomy, fostering a supportive environment, and reducing overload and techno-complexity can help protect and enhance their work ability.