title: Assessing retirement satisfaction and perceptions of retirement experiences.
abstract: A 2-part investigation developed a measure of retirement as a life transition. Study 1 generated items from interviews with retirees (n = 40) and service providers. Item analysis with recent retirees (n = 86) produced a 51-item Retirement Satisfaction Inventory assessing 6 areas: preretirement work functioning, adjustment and change, reasons for retirement, satisfaction with life in retirement, current sources of enjoyment, and leisure and physical activities. Study 2 examined a heterogeneous sample of men (n = 159) and women (n = 243) retires. Factor analyses produced internally consistent subscales. Moderate, but acceptable, test-retest reliability was demonstrated. Satisfaction scores correlated with concurrent measures and, together with pre- and postretirement experiences, discriminated 4 groups of voluntary and involuntary retirees. Few effects related to gender, socioeconomic status, length of retirement, and part-time employment were found.
authors: Psychology Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824-1117.
authors: F J
authors: FJ
authors: Floyd
authors: S N
authors: SN
authors: Haynes
authors: E R
authors: ER
authors: Doll
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Winemiller
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Lemsky
authors: T M
authors: TM
authors: Burgy
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Werle
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Heilman
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012179:Retirement / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors