TY - JOUR T1 - The Impact of Voluntary Employer Changes on Work Ability in Older Workers: Examining the Honeymoon-Hangover Effect A1 - Sipho Dlamini A1 - Thabo Mokoena A1 - Kabelo Ndlovu A1 - Nomsa Khumalo JF - Asian Journal of Individual and Organizational Behavior JO - Asian J Indiv Organ Behav SN - 3108-4192 Y1 - 2025 VL - 5 IS - 1 DO - 10.51847/bTbVDKlCig SP - 198 EP - 207 N2 - This research explored how older German workers’ self-reported work ability is influenced by voluntarily switching employers and whether a honeymoon-hangover effect (HHE) occurs. In job satisfaction studies, HHE refers to three stages around a voluntary job change: decline in the previous role (deterioration), an initial boost in the new role (honeymoon), and a later reduction over time (hangover). It remains unclear if work ability follows a similar pattern. We analyzed 2,502 participants from all three waves (2011, 2014, 2018) of the lidA study, a nationally representative cohort of employees born in 1959 or 1965. Using fixed-effects regression models with lag and lead variables, we identified clear deterioration, honeymoon, and hangover phases. Work ability rose markedly immediately after the job change. These findings indicate that voluntary employer changes can help preserve work ability in later career stages, even if they do not produce long-term increases. Despite the subsequent hangover effect, the overall benefits of switching employers remain significant. UR - https://apsshs.com/article/the-impact-of-voluntary-employer-changes-on-work-ability-in-older-workers-examining-the-honeymoon-h-tkofeizylp0rrtl ER -