A Systematic Review of Evidence-Based Prevention Approaches for Alcohol Problems with Viability for Military Implementation.

A rapidly growing ageing population has significantly changed labour market dynamics, and older adults now form a growing segment of the labour market (). This demographic shift has led to policy changes that aim to extend working life, which in countries with a state pension schemes thus delays dependency on government resources by delaying exit from the labour market (). Changes in government policy have led to people remaining active beyond retirement age, and self-employment or entrepreneurship is emerging as an important alternative to conventional employment in later life (). Self-employment is receiving particular attention from government authorities because it is considered a way to secure financial well-being in later life and to enable older citizens to contribute to the economy (). Self-employment can be a tool for extending working life, and older adults are encouraged to pursue self-employment later in life. Extending working life allows people to continue working, make career choices, and contribute to society through their valuable knowledge and years of experience. Thus, self-employment is changing our concept of work and the meanings we associate with later life (). ‘Old’ usually refers to individuals who are nearing the end of their life (). However, ‘how old is old?’ is a philosophical question. The concept of old age and the ageing process is socially constructed and influenced by the societal perceptions of various age groups (; ). It is generally accepted that employment plays a significant role in identity formation, including identity in old age (). argues that the lives of individuals are structured around work, and retirement is an important event on a person's life course indicating the end of work (). When people leave employment or retire, their life routines undergo substantial changes, which has a significant impact on their social, economic and family spheres (). Therefore, retirement is often considered the beginning of old age (). For example, argue that retired individuals often perceive themselves as old and tend to associate retirement with old age. define retirement as the transition from a work-centred life to a period focused on personal activities and leisure as one enters old age. This transition is clearer for employed individuals, with the official retirement age set by government policies. However, self-employed individuals, particularly those who continue to work beyond retirement, and those who never fully retire, do not have the same distinct transition. Nevertheless, studies have shown that self-employed individuals exhibit distinct retirement patterns (; ). For example, the self-employed tend to retire later, surpassing the state pension age (; ; ; ) resulting in uncertainty about retirement plans among self-employed individuals (; ; ). As a case in point, reported that the odds of working beyond the state pension age in Europe are eight times higher among the self-employed compared to those who are employed. Other studies have indicated that in Europe, self-employed individuals retire on average two years later than employees (). claims that for employees, retirement is the official exit from the workforce, thus representing definite entry into old age; however, the self-employed might perceive this stage differently, as they continue to work. This continued engagement in meaningful work experiences provides greater social connectedness and cognitive stimulation, leading to a more fulfilling old age. Studies have also indicated that continued employment is positively associated with older adults’ financial security and psychological well-being (). studies also suggest that the higher the retirement age, the later the subjective onset of old age, showing that retirement influences individuals’ self-perception.