THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RETIREMENT TRANSITION AND RETIREMENT ADJUSTMENT AMONG OLDER ADULTS: THE MODERATING ROLE OF RESILIENCE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71000/d7df6y81Keywords:
adjustment, , aging, psychological resilience, , retirement, , retirement planning, social support, transition to retirementAbstract
Background: The transition into retirement represents a critical period in the lives of older adults, involving major shifts in social roles, routines, and identity. Successful retirement adjustment is influenced by multiple psychological and social factors. Resilience, defined as the capacity to adapt positively to adversity, may act as a protective factor in this transition. Understanding how resilience interacts with various retirement transition patterns can inform strategies to promote mental well-being and life satisfaction in older populations.
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between retirement transition and retirement adjustment in older adults, and to examine the moderating role of resilience. It also assessed the impact of demographic variables on the study constructs.
Methods: A cross-sectional, correlational study design was used, involving 200 retired older adults (both men and women) from Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using the Transition to Retirement Questionnaire (TRQ), Retirement Adjustment Scale for Elderly, and Nicholson McBride Resilience Questionnaire. Statistical analyses included Pearson correlation, linear regression, moderation analysis via Hayes’ PROCESS macro, t-tests, and ANOVA to examine demographic effects.
Results: Findings revealed a significant positive relationship between the Easy Glider typology and retirement adjustment (r = 0.26, p < 0.01), and negative relationships for both Searchers (r = -0.06, p < 0.05) and Retreaters (r = -0.08, p < 0.05). Resilience significantly moderated the relationship between Easy Gliders and retirement adjustment (β = 0.01, p < 0.05), enhancing their adjustment outcomes. No significant moderation was found for other typologies.
Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of resilience in supporting adaptive retirement transitions, particularly for those already inclined toward positive adjustment patterns. These findings highlight the need for targeted support programs to foster resilience among retirees.
References
Chan MCH, Chung EKH, Yeung DY. Attitudes Toward Retirement Drive the Effects of Retirement Preparation on Psychological and Physical Well-Being of Hong Kong Chinese Retirees Over Time. Int J Aging Hum Dev. 2021;93(1):584-600.
Koch S, Lehr D, Hillert A. [Chronic Occupational Stress: Psychotherapeutic Treatment Approaches]. Psychother Psychosom Med Psychol. 2022;72(11):497-512.
Zaniboni S, Topa G, Balducci C. Core Self-Evaluations Affecting Retirement-Related Outcomes. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;18(1).
Moustafa AA, Crouse JJ, Herzallah MM, Salama M, Mohamed W, Misiak B, et al. Depression Following Major Life Transitions in Women: A Review and Theory. Psychol Rep. 2020;123(5):1501-17.
Hed S, Berg AI, Hansson I, Kivi M, Waern M. Depressive symptoms across the retirement transition in men and women: associations with emotion regulation, adjustment difficulties and work centrality. BMC Geriatr. 2024;24(1):643.
Shoushtari Moghaddam E, Kaveh MH, Karimi M, Tarrahi MJ, Soltani E. Development and evaluation of a theory-based health promotion programme aimed at improving retirees' psychological well-being and quality of life: a protocol for a mixed-method study. BMJ Open. 2023;13(11):e075337.
Huo M, Kim K, Han SH. The Impact of Marital Quality as Older Couples Adjust to Dementia Onset. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2022;77(6):1026-36.
Tunney O, Henkens K, van Solinge H. Looking Back on Career, Looking Forward to Retirement: Antecedents of Subjective Career Evaluations and Their Impact on Retirement Adjustment. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2024;79(11).
Bulanda JR, Curl AL, Roberts AR. Marital Quality and Alcohol Use among Couples in Mid- and Later-Life. J Appl Gerontol. 2023;42(5):1068-77.
Sachdev S, Dixit S. Military to civilian cultural transition experiences of retired military personnel: A systematic meta-synthesis. Mil Psychol. 2024;36(6):579-92.
Pudrovska T, Anishkin A. Personal Mastery and the Medical, Financial, and Physical Cancer Burden: Gender and Race Differences Among Older Adults. J Aging Health. 2020;32(9):1233-43.
Sharifi M, Nodehi D, Bazgir B. Physical activity and psychological adjustment among retirees: a systematic review. BMC Public Health. 2023;23(1):194.
Zhan Y, Froidevaux A, Li Y, Wang M, Shi J. Preretirement resources and postretirement life satisfaction change trajectory: Examining the mediating role of retiree experience during retirement transition phase. J Appl Psychol. 2023;108(5):871-88.
Lee HJ, Han SH, Boerner K. Psychological and Physical Health in Widowhood: Does Marital Quality Make a Difference? Res Aging. 2022;44(1):54-64.
Taylor MG, Carr D. Psychological Resilience and Health Among Older Adults: A Comparison of Personal Resources. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2021;76(6):1241-50.
Xia B, Xi W, Bi X, Zhang X. Retirement is not the end of the road: Essentialist beliefs about aging moderate the association between future time perspective and retirement adjustment. Curr Psychol. 2023:1-9.
Hansson I, Henning G, Buratti S, Lindwall M, Kivi M, Johansson B, et al. The role of personality in retirement adjustment: Longitudinal evidence for the effects on life satisfaction. J Pers. 2020;88(4):642-58.
Betlej A. Social Networks, New Technologies, and Wellbeing-An Interview Study on Factors Influencing Older Adults' Successful Ageing. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(7).
Lalani N, Dongjuan X, Cai Y, Arling GW. Structural equation model of coping and life satisfaction of community-dwelling older people during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Patient Rep Outcomes. 2023;7(1):46.
Henning G, Stenling A, Bielak AAM, Bjälkebring P, Gow AJ, Kivi M, et al. Towards an active and happy retirement? Changes in leisure activity and depressive symptoms during the retirement transition. Aging Ment Health. 2021;25(4):621-31.
Hardie A, Oshiro KF, Dixon MA. Understanding body image perceptions of former female athletes: A qualitative analysis. Body Image. 2022;43:393-407.
Faaij M, Schoormans D, Pearce A. Work, daily activities and leisure after cancer. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl). 2022;31(4):e13596.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Natasha Bibi, Sidra Akram, Sultan Ghulam Dastgir, Ilsa Nasir, Humna Mansoor, Ramsha Saeed, Syed Mahnoor Sukaina Bukhari, Iqra Bashir (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
