Changes in work centrality among employees who experienced occupational and life events: A relationship and causality analysis

This unique study compares the change in work centrality among individuals (n = 407) both those who did experience and those who did not experience meaningful occupational and life events, over the course of twelve years. Childbirth had an opposite effect on men's and women's work centrality. The work centrality of individuals who experienced divorce, prolonged unemployment, a worsening of financial conditions and taking a considerable loan, did not change, while it increased among those who did not experience these events. Experiencing dismissal from work increased work centrality. Unexpectedly, work centrality continues to increase among individuals after retirement. The implications of the findings are discussed.