Archives of Hygiene Sciences · Jul 2026
Occupational Determinants of Cognitive Function Across the Working Lifespan: A Systematic Review
By Ebrahimi A, Ghasemi S, Koohpaei A et al.
Cognitive functioning is a fundamental resource for effective work performance, safety, decision-making, and adaptability in modern work systems.As work environments become increasingly complex and cognitively demanding, preserving cognitive health across the working lifespan has emerged as a critical challenge for occupational health, ergonomics, and public policy.Beyond its immediate relevance for productivity, cognitive functioning in midlife and later life is a key determinant of healthy aging, risk of dementia, and quality of life [1,2].A growing body of research suggests that cognition is shaped not only by individual characteristics, such as age, education, and health status, but also by longterm exposure to occupational conditions.Work represents a major life domain in which individuals are repeatedly exposed to specific cognitive demands, psychosocial stressors, organizational structures, and environmental hazards.From a cognitive and systems ergonomics perspective, cognitive outcomes should therefore be understood as emergent properties of interactions between workers and the broader work system, including tasks, technologies, schedules, and the social context [3, 4].One prominent line of research has focused on occupational cognitive complexity and mental stimulation.Consistent with the cognitive reserve hypothesis, cognitively demanding work involving problem-solving, decision-making, and learning opportunities has been associated with better cognitive performance and a reduced risk of cognitive decline in later life [1, 2;Stern, 2012;Then et al., 2023].Conversely, occupations characterized by repetitive, monotonous, or passive tasks may limit opportunities for cognitive engagement, potentially accelerating cognitive aging.However, evidence remains dispersed across disciplines, occupational groups, and methodological approaches.In parallel, substantial attention has been directed toward harmful occupational exposures, including chemical, physical, and environmental hazards.