Like a high wave: adjustment to retirement.
OBJECTIVE
The purposes of the study are to provide a phenomenological description of the pre- and post-retirement experience and to examine adjustment during the two periods.


METHODS
This is a longitudinal study of 56 Israeli men that employs both personal interviews and standard measures of physical and mental health.


RESULTS
The pre-retirement interviews show four main perceptions. The dominant perception was as a period of uncertainty and crisis. The others were as providing hope for change, as a continuation of their lives until then, and as a developmental transition. Interviews 1 year post-retirement show that most of the men were happily occupied. Comparison of pre- and post-retirement scores on standardized tests shows reduced distress.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings point to the desirability of supportive pre-retirement interventions that would emphasize working out emotional difficulties posed the anticipation of ending work.
Nuttman-Shwartz
Orit
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Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv 69978, Israel. shwartz@post.tau.ac.il
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007557:Israel; D008016:Life Change Events; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012179:Retirement / Q000523:psychology*; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D035501:Uncertainty