Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rdxmf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-30T19:13:52.291Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Adjustment to Retirement: What We Know and What We Need to Know

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 November 2008

V. A. Braithwaite  and
D. M. Gibson
V. A. Braithwaite
Affiliation:
NH & MRC Social Psychiatry Research Unit, The Australian National University, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia.
D. M. Gibson
Affiliation:
School of Humanities, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia..
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Difficulty in adjusting to retirement has consistently emerged as a problem for approximately a third of retirees. A body of research has converged on a description of the poor adjuster as one in poor health, with inadequate income, a negative pre-retirement attitude, but with an increased likelihood of adaptation over time. Findings relating to other factors such as socio-economic status, occupation, activity, career fulfilment, job satisfaction and work commitment are far less conclusive, with interpretation hampered by a failure to control for the more well established correlates of retirement adjustment. This paper reviews the empirical work in this field, evaluates the goal hierarchy model and the political economy of old age literature as bases for explaining differences in retirement adjustment, and proposes a theoretical framework for future research which brings these two perspectives together.

Type
Research Article
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 7 , Issue 1 , March 1987 , pp. 1 - 18
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1987

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

NOTES

1 Friedmann, E. and Orbach, H. L. ‘Adjustment to retirement’, in Arieti, S. (ed.), American Handbook of Psychiatry, vol. I, 2nd ed.Basic Book, New York, 1974.Google Scholar

2 Atchley, G. W.The Sociology of Retirement. Wiley, New York, 1976.Google Scholar

3 Friedmann, E. and Orbach, H. L., op. cit.Google Scholar

4 Sheppard, H. L. ‘Work and retirement’, in Binstock, R. H. and Shanas, E. (eds.), Handbook of Aging and the Social Sciences. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976.Google Scholar

5 Cottrell, F. and Atchley, R. C.Women in Retirement: A Preliminary Report. Scripps Foundation, Oxford, Ohio, 1969.Google Scholar

6 Barfield, R. E. and Morgan, J. N.Early Retirement: The Decision and the Experience and a Second Look. Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1974.Google Scholar

7 Barfield, R. E. and Morgan, J. N.Trends in satisfaction with retirement. The Geronlologist, 18 (1978), 19–23.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed

8 Richardson, I. M.A socio-medical study of 244 men. Scottish Medical Journal, I (1956), 381–391.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

9 Shanas, E., Townsend, P., Wedderburn, D., Friis, H., Miløj, P. and Stehouwer, J.Old People in Three Industrial Societies. Atherton Press, New York, 1968.Google Scholar

10 Cribler, F.Changing retirement patterns of the seventies: The example of a generation of Parisian salaried workers. Ageing and Society, 1 (1981), 51–71.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

11 Kremer, Y.Predictors of retirement satisfaction: A path model. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 20 (1985b), 113–121.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

12 Parker, S. R.Work and Retirement. Allen and Unwin, London, 1982.Google Scholar

13 Palmore, E. B., Fillenbaum, G. G. and George, L. K.Consequences of retirement. Journal of Gerontology, 39 (1984), 109–116.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed

14 Palmore, E. B. et al. , op. cit.Google Scholar

15 Fillenbaum, G. G., George, L. K. and Palmore, E. B.Determinants and consequences of retirement among men of different races and economic levels. Journal of Gerontology, 40 (1985), 85–94.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed

16 Phillipson, C.Capitalism and the Construction of Old Age. MacMillan, London, 1982.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

17 Walker, A.Towards a political economy of old age. Ageing and Society, 1 (1981), 73–94.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

18 Walker, A., op. cit.Google Scholar

19 Atchley, G. W., op. cit.Google Scholar

20 Rokeach, M.The Nature of Human Values. Free Press, New York, 1973.Google Scholar

21 Ibid.

22 Rokeach, M., op. cit.Google Scholar

23 Atchley, G. W., op. cit.Google Scholar

24 Cribier, F., op. cit.Google Scholar

25 Ibid.

26 Friedmann, E. and Orbach, H. L., op. cit.Google Scholar

27 Atchley, G. W., op. cit.Google Scholar

28 Sheppard, H. L., op. cit.Google Scholar

29 Parker, S. R., op. cit.Google Scholar

30 Beveridge, W. E.Retirement and life significance: A study of the adjustment to retirement of a sample of men at management level. Human Relations, 33 (1980), 69–78.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

31 Cribier, F., op. cit.Google Scholar

32 Barfield, R. E. and Morgan, J. N., 1974, op. cit.Google Scholar

33 Beck, S. H.Adjustment to and satisfaction with retirement. Journal of Geronotology, 37 (1982), 616–624.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed

34 Heidbreder, E.Factors in retirement adjustment: White-collar/blue collar experience. Industrial Gerontology, 12 (1972), 69–79.Google Scholar

35 Kremer, Y.The association between health and retirement: Self-health assessment of Israeli retirees. Social Science and Medicine, 20 (1985a), 61–66.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed

36 Levy, S. M.Temporal experience in the aged: Body integrity and the social milieu. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 9 (1979), 313–344.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

37 Richardson, I. M., op. cit.Google Scholar

38 Ryser, C. and Sheldon, A.Retirement and health. Journal of American Geriatrics Society, 17 (1969), 180–190.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed

39 Shanas, E. et al. , op. cit.Google Scholar

40 Thompson, G. B.Work versus leisure roles: An investigation of morale among employed and retired men. Journal of Gerontology, 28 (1973), 399–344.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed

41 Thompson, W. E. and Streib, G. F.Situational determinants: Health and economic deprivation in retirement. Journal of Social Issues, 14 (1958), 18–34.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

42 Shanas, E.Health and adjustment in retirement. The Gerontologist, 10 (1970), 19–21.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed

43 Barfield, R. E. and Morgan, J. N., 1974, op. cit.Google Scholar

44 Beck, S. H., op. cit.Google Scholar

45 Glamser, F. D.Predictors of retirement attitudes. Aging and Work, 4 (1981), 23–29.Google Scholar

46 Heidbreder, E., op. cit.Google Scholar

47 Thompson, W. E. and Streib, G. F., op. cit.Google Scholar

48 Atchley, G. W., op. cit.Google Scholar

49 Friedmann, E. and Orbach, H. L., op. cit.Google Scholar

50 Kremer, Y., 1985a, op. cit.Google Scholar

51 Thompson, W. W. and Streib, G. F., op. cit.Google Scholar

52 Minkler, M.Research on the health effects of retirement: An uncertain legacy. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 22 (1981), 117–130.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

53 Riley, M. W. and Foner, A.Ageing and Society, Vol. I. Russell Sage Foundation, New York, 1968.Google Scholar

54 Ibid.

55 Walker, A., op. cit.Google Scholar

56 Rosow, I. ‘Adjustment of the moral aged’, in Williams, R. H., Tibbits, C. and Donahue, W. (eds.), Processes of Aging, Vol. 2. Atherton Press, New York, 1963.Google Scholar

57 Thompson, W. E., Streib, G. F. and Kosa, J.The effect of retirement on personal adjustment: A panel analysis. Journal of Gerontology, 15 (1960), 165–169.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed

58 Simpson, I. H., Back, K. W. and McKinney, J. C. ‘Attributes of work, involvement in society, and self-evaluation in retirement’, in Simpson, I. H. and McKinney, J. C. (eds.), Social Aspects of Aging. Duke University Press, Durham, North Carolina, 1966a.Google Scholar

59 Heidbreder, E., op. cit.Google Scholar

60 Glamser, F. D., 1981, op. cit.Google Scholar

61 Levy, S. M., op. cit.Google Scholar

62 Thompson, W. E. and Streib, G. F., op. cit.Google Scholar

63 Thompson, W. E., Streib, G. F. and Kosa, J., op. cit.Google Scholar

64 Heidbreder, E., op. cit.Google Scholar

65 Beck, S. H., op. cit.Google Scholar

66 Barfield, R. E. and Morgan, J. N., 1974, op. cit.Google Scholar

67 Heidbreder, E., op. cit.Google Scholar

68 Glamser, F. D., 1981, op. cit.Google Scholar

69 Thompson, W. E. and Streib, G. F., op. cit.Google Scholar

70 Barfield, R. E. and Morgan, J. N., 1974, op. cit.Google Scholar

71 Beck, S. H., op. cit.Google Scholar

72 Fillenbaum, G.On the relation between attitude to work and attitude to retirement. Journal of Gerontology, 26 (1971), 244–248.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

73 Glamser, F. D., Determinants of a positive attitude toward retirement. Journal of Gerontology, 31 (1976), 104–107.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed

74 Goudy, W., Powers, E. and Keith, P.Work and retirement: A test of attitudinal relationships. Journal of Gerontology, 30 (1975), 193–198.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

75 Rose, C. L. and Mogey, J. M.Aging and preference for later retirement. Aging and Human Development, 3 (1972), 45–62.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

76 Ibid.

77 Stokes, R. and Maddox, G.Some social factors in retirement adaptation. Journal of Gerontology, 29 (1967), 329–333.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

78 Simpson, I. H., Back, K. W. and McKinney, J. C. ‘Orientations toward work and retirement, and self-evaluation in retirement’, in Simpson, I. H. and McKinney, J. C. (eds.), Social Aspects of Aging. Duke Unversity Press, Durham, North Carolina, 1966b.Google Scholar

79 Glamser, F. D., 1981, op. cit.Google Scholar

80 Lehr, U. and Dreher, G. ‘Determinants of attitudes towards retirement’, in Havighurst, R. J., Munnichs, J. M. A., Neugarten, B. and Thomas, H. (eds.), Adjustment to Retirement: A Cross-national Study. Van Gorcum, Assen, The Netherlands, 1970.Google Scholar

81 Johnson, D. E.A depressive retirement syndrome. Geriatrics, 13 (1958), 314–319.Google ScholarPubMed

82 Barfield, R. E. and Morgan, J. N., 1974, op. cit.Google Scholar

83 Kremer, Y., 1985b, op. cit.Google Scholar

84 Heidbreder, E., op. cit.Google Scholar

85 Beck, S. H., op. cit.Google Scholar

86 Streib, G. F. and Schneider, C. J.Retirement in American Society: Impact and Process. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, N.Y., 1971.Google Scholar

87 Simpson, I. H. et al. , 1966b, op. cit.Google Scholar

88 Richardson, I. M., op. cit.Google Scholar

89 O'Brien, G. E.Leisure attributes and retirement satisfaction. Journal of Applied Psychology, 66 (1981), 371–384.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

90 Stokes, R. and Maddox, G., op. cit.Google Scholar

91 Beck, S. H., op. cit.Google Scholar

92 Kremer, Y., 1985b, op. cit.Google Scholar

93 Glamser, F. D., 1981, op. cit.Google Scholar

94 Jacobson, D.Willingness to retire in relation to job strain and type of work. Industrial Gerontology, 13 (1972), 65–74.Google Scholar

95 Sheppard, H. L.Where Have All the Robots Gone? – Worker Dissatisfaction in the 1970's. Free Press–Macmillan, New York, 1972.Google Scholar

96 Freidmann, E. A. and Havighurst, R. J.The Meaning of Work and Retirement. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1954.Google Scholar

97 Shanas, E. ‘Adjustment to retirement: Substitution and accommodation’, in Carp, F. M. (ed.), Retirement. Behavioral Publications, New York, 1972.Google Scholar

98 Havighurst, R. J. ‘Successful aging’, in Williams, R., Tibbitts, C. and Donahue, W. (eds.), Processes of Aging. Atherton, New York, 1963.Google Scholar

99 Barfield, R. E. and Morgan, J. N., 1974, op. cit.Google Scholar

100 Peppers, L.Patterns of leisure and adjustment to retirement Gerontologist, 16 (1976), 441–446.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed

101 Thompson, W. E. et al. , op. cit.Google Scholar

102 Simpson, I. H. et al. , 1966a, op. cit.Google Scholar

103 Hooker, K. and Ventis, D. G.Work ethic, daily activities, and retirement satisfaction. Journal of Gerontology, 39 (1984), 478–484.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed

104 Peppers, L., op. cit.Google Scholar

105 O'Brien, G. E., op. cit.Google Scholar

106 Ibid.

107 Thompson, W. E. et al. , op. cit.Google Scholar

108 Shanas, E., 1970, op. cit.Google Scholar

109 Barfield, R. E. and Morgan, J. N., 1974, op. cit.Google Scholar

110 Beck, S. H., op. cit.Google Scholar

111 Levy, S. M., op. cit.Google Scholar

112 Richardson, I. M., op. cit.Google Scholar

113 Shanas, E., 1972, op. cit.Google Scholar

114 Streib, G. F. and Schneider, C. J., op. cit.Google Scholar

115 Levy, S. M., op. cit.Google Scholar

116 Beck, S. H., op. cit.Google Scholar

117 Stokes, P. and Maddox, G., op. cit.Google Scholar

118 Ibid.

119 Cribier, F., op. cit.Google Scholar

120 Ibid.

121 Levy, S. M., op. cit.Google Scholar

122 Beck, S. H., op. cit.Google Scholar

123 Jacobson, D., op. cit.Google Scholar

124 Sheppard, H. L., 1972, op. cit.Google Scholar

125 Taylor, R. and Ford, G., Life-style and ageing. Ageing and Society, 1 (1981), 329–345.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

126 Phillipson, C.Pre-retirement education: The British and the American experience. Ageing and Society, 1 (1981), 393–413.CrossRefGoogle Scholar