The limitations of crisis theory as an explanatory mechanism in social gerontology.
This study examines five specific assumptions of crisis theory as this orientation relates to the prediction of life satisfaction following retirement. Pre-retirement and post-retirement interviews were conducted with a group of 114 men (mean age 68.2 years) residing in an urban area of central Missouri. The data reveal a significant decline in life satisfaction as predicted. Contrary to the theory, however, no significant changes in role behavior in three related areas-family, voluntary associations, and community--were found subsequent to retirement. In addition, the role changes accompanying retirement were not significantly associated with negative changes in satisfaction. Also, increases in role performance were not significantly related to positive changes in satisfaction. Finally, the correlation between work commitment and change in satisfaction proved negative and non significant. On the other hand, the correlation between work commitment and the desire for subsequent employment was negative and significant. In sum, four of the five assumptions of crisis theory do not receive support on the basis of the data.
D000368:Aged; D001290:Attitude; D003423:Critical Period, Psychological; D004651:Employment; D005190:Family; D005853:Geriatrics; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008923:Missouri; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011336:Probability; D012179:Retirement; D012380:Role; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012649:Self Concept; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D014481:United States; D014505:Urban Population; D014937:Work