Work to retirement: A snapshot of psychological health in a multicultural Australian population.
OBJECTIVE
The specific aim of this study was to explore psychological well-being in workers and retirees and compare responses from people who came from an overseas-born population and those from an Australian born.


METHODS
PARTICIPANTS were self-selected, voluntary, informed research participants aged 50 years and older. One hundred and ninety-five people born in Australia and retiring in Australia and 91 people born overseas retiring in Australia responded to an internet-based survey that comprised the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, the PTSD Checklist, the Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Duke Social Support Index.


METHODS
Two-way analysis of variance was conducted for dependent variables against: (1) being born in Australia Yes/No, and (2) Retired/Employed.


RESULTS
In terms of adjustment to retirement the findings indicate no significant differences in psychological symptoms during the retirement transition phase between populations.


CONCLUSIONS
Further research needs to be carried out to consider the role of possible explanatory factors that may contribute to the psychological transition to retirement.
Howe
Caroline
C
Ageing, Work and Health Research Unit, Faculty of Health Science, University of Sydney, Lidcombe, NSW 1825, Australia. c.howe@usyd.edu.au
Matthews
Lynda R
LR
Heard
Robert
R
D000069:Acculturation; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis; D001315:Australia; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012179:Retirement / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis