This article examines the experience of adaptation to retirement among a sample of women (n = 124) and men (n = 176) retired an average of three years and living in an urban area of Ontario, Canada. The impact of retirement as a life event relative to other life experiences was examined, and found to be distinctly less critical than previous research would suggest.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Aitken, Lewis R.1982. Later Life. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
2.
Atchley, Robert C.1976a. The Sociology of Retirement. New York: Schenkman.
3.
Atchley, Robert C.1976b. "Selected Social and Psychological Differences Between Men and Women in Later Life."Journal of Gerontology31(2):204-211.
4.
Atchley Robert C.1982. "The Process of Retirement: Comparing Men and Women." Pp. 153-168 in Women's Retirement: Policy Implications of Recent Research, edited by Maximiliane Szinovacz. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
5.
Atchley Robert C.
and Sheila L. Corbett. 1977. "Older Women and Jobs." Pp. 121-125 in Looking Ahead: A Woman's Guide to the Problems and Joys of Growing Older, edited by Lillian E. Troll. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
6.
Barfield, Richard E.
and James N. Morgan. 1978. "Trends in Satisfaction with Retirement."Gerontologist18(1):19-23.
7.
Barnett, R. C.
and G. K. Baruch. 1978-1979. "Women in the Middle Years: A Critique of Research and Theory."Psychology of Women Quarterly3(l):187-197.
8.
Beck, Scott H."Adjustment to and Satisfaction with Retirement."Journal of Gerontology37(5):616-624.
9.
Bell, Bill D.1975. "The Limitations of Crisis Theory as an Explanatory Mechanism in Social Gerontology."International Journal of Aging and Human Development6(2): 153-168.
10.
Bell, Bill D.1978-1979. "Life Satisfaction and Occupational Retirement: Beyond the Impact Year."International Journal of Aging and Human Development9(l):31-44.
11.
Blishen, Bernard R.
and Hugh A. McRoberts. 1976. "A Revised Socioeconomic Index for Occupations in Canada."Canadian Review of Sociology and Anthropology13(1): 71-79.
12.
Calasanti, Toni M.
1984. "Structural Determinants of Retirement Adjustment Among Women." Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, San Antonio, November.
13.
Candy, S.E.G.1977. "What Do Women Use Friends for?" Pp. 106-111 in Looking Ahead, edited by L. E. Trollet al.Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
14.
Chappell, Neena L.
and Betty Havens. 1980. "Old and Female: Testing the Double Jeopardy Hypothesis."Sociological Quarterly21:157-171.
15.
Cleveland, W. P.
, J. B. Nowlin, D. Ramm, and I. Siegler. 1979. "Stress and Adaptation in Later Life."Journal of Gerontology34(6):841-851.
16.
Connidis, Ingrid
. 1982. "Women and Retirement: The Effect of Multiple Careers on Retirement and Adjustment."Canadian Journal of Aging1(3 & 4):17-27.
17.
Dorfman, Lorraine T.
, Frank J. Kohout, and D. Alex Heckert. 1985. "Retirement Satisfaction in the Rural Elderly."Research on Aging7(4):577-599.
18.
Elwell, F.
and Alice D. Maltbie-Crannell. 1981. "The Impact of Role Loss upon Coping Resources and Life Satisfaction of the Elderly. "Journal of Gerontology36(2):223-232.
19.
Fillenbaum, Gerda G.
and Linda K. George. 1984. "Consequences of Retirement."Journal of Gerontology39(1):109-116.
20.
Fox, Judith H.1977. "Effects of Retirement and Former Work Life on Women's Adaptation in Old Age."Journal of Gerontology32(2):196-202.
21.
Friedman, E. A.
and Harold L. Orbach. 1974. "Adjustments to Retirement." In American Handbook of Psychiatry, edited by S. Arieti. New York: Basic Books.
22.
George, Linda K.1979. "The Happiness Syndrome: Methodological and Substantive Issues in the Study of Social-Psychological Well-Being in Adulthood."Gerontologist19(2):210-216.
23.
George, Linda K.1980. Role Transitions in Later Life. Monterey: Brooks/Cole.
24.
George, Linda K.
and George L. Maddox. 1977. "Subjective Adaptation to Loss of the Work Role: A Longitudinal Study."Journal of Gerontology32(4):456-462.
25.
Glamser, Francis D.1976. "Determinants of Positive Attitude Toward Retirement."Journal of Gerontology31(2):104-107.
26.
Glamser, Francis D.1981. "The Impact of Preretirement Programs on the Retirement Experience."Journal of Gerontology36(2):244-250.
27.
Goudy, Willis J.
, Edward A. Powers, Patricia M. Keith, and Richard A. Reger. 1980. "Changes in Attitudes Toward Retirement: Evidence from a Panel Study of Older Males."Journal of Gerontology35(6):942-948.
28.
Gratton, Brian
. and Marie R. Haug. 1983. "Decision and Adaptation: Research on Female Retirement."Research on Aging5(l):59-76.
29.
Guttman, David
. 1978. "Life Events and Decision Making by Older Adults."Gerontologist18(5):462-467.
30.
Holmes, Thomas H.
and Richard H. Rahe. 1967. "The Social Readjustment Rating Scale."Journal of Psychosomatic Research II (2):213-218.
31.
Horley, J.1984. "Life Satisfaction, Happiness and Morale: Two Problems with the Use of Subjective Well-Being Indicators."Gerontologist24:124-127.
32.
Jaslow, Philip
. 1976. "Employment, Retirement, and Morale Among Older Women."Journal of Gerontology31:212-218.
33.
Johnson, Elizabeth S.
and John B. Williamson. 1980. Growing Old: The Social Problems of Aging. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
34.
Keating, Norah C.
and Priscilla Cole. 1980. "What Do I Do with Him 24 Hours a Day? Changes in the Housewife Role After Retirement."Gerontologist20(1):84-89.
35.
Larson, R.1978. "Thirty Years of Research on the Subjective Well-Being of Older Americans."Journal of Gerontology33:109-125.
36.
Levy, S. M.1980. "The Adjustment of the Older Woman: Effects of Chronic Ill Health and Attitudes Toward Retirement."International Journal of Aging and Human Development12(1):93-110.
37.
Lopata, Helena Z.1978. "Contributions of Extended Families to the Support Systems of Metropolitan Area Widows: Limitations of the Modified Kin Network."Journal of Marriage and the Family (May):355-364.
38.
Lopata, Helena Z.1979. Women as Widows: Support Systems. New York: Elsevier.
39.
MacBride, Arlene
. 1976. "Retirement as a Life Crisis: Myth or Reality?"Canadian Psychiatric Association Journal21(8):547-556.
40.
Maddox, G. L.
and E. B. Douglass. 1974. "Aging and Individual Differences: A Longitudinal Analysis of Social, Psychological, and Physiological Indicators."Journal of Gerontology29(5):555-563.
41.
Martin Matthews
, Anne, Kathleen H. Brown, Christine K. Davis, and Margaret A. Denton. 1982. "A Crisis Assessment Technique for the Evaluation of Life Events: Transition to Retirement as an Example."Canadian Journal on Aging1(3 & 4):28-39.
42.
McFarlane, A. H.
, G. R. Norman, D. L. Streiner, R. Roy, and D. J. Scott. 1980. "A Longitudinal Study of the Influence of the Psychosocial Environment of Health Status: A Preliminary Report."Journal of Health and Social Behaviour21:124-133.
43.
Mutran, Elizabeth
and Donald C. Reitzes. 1981. "Retirement, Identity and Well-Being: Realignment of Role Relationships."Journal of Gerontology36(6):733-740.
44.
Palmore, Erdman B.1965. "Differences in the Retirement Patterns of Men and Women."Gerontologist5(l):4-8.
45.
Palmore, Erdman B.Gerda G. Fillenbaum
, and Linda K. George. 1984. "Consequences of Retirement."Journal of Gerontology39(1):109-116.
46.
Peppers, Larry G.1976. "Patterns of Leisure and Adjustment to Retirement."Gerontologist16:441-446.
47.
Prentis, Richard S.1980. "White-Collar Working Women's Perception of Retirement."Gerontologist20(1):90-95.
48.
Riddick, Carol Cutler
. 1985. "Life Satisfaction for Older Female Homemakers, Retirees and Workers."Research on Aging7(3):383-393.
49.
Sauer, W. J.
and R. Warland. 1982. "Morale and Life Satisfaction." Pp. 195-240 in Research Instruments in Social Gerontology, Vol. I. Clinical and Social Psychology, edited by David J. Manzen and Warren A. Peterson. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
50.
Seccombe, Karen
and Gary R. Lee. 1986. "Gender Differences in Retirement Satisfaction and Its Antecedents."Research on Aging8(3):426-440.
51.
Seltzer, Mildred M.1979. "The Older Woman: Fact, Fantasies and Fiction."Research on Aging1(2):139-154.
52.
Shanas, Ethel
. 1979. "The Family as a Social Support System in Old Age."Gerontologist19(2):169-174.
53.
Simpson, I. H.
, K. H. Back, and J. E. McKinney. 1966. "Attributes of Work, Involvement in Society, and Self-Evaluation in Retirement." In Social Aspects of Aging, edited by I. H. Simpson and J. C. McKinney. Durham, NC: Duke University Press.
54.
Skoglund, John
. 1979. "Job Deprivation in Retirement: Anticipated and Experienced Feelings."Research on Aging1(4):481-493.
55.
Streib, Gordon F.
and C. J. Schneider. 1971. Retirement in American Society: Impact and Process. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.
56.
Szinovacz, Maximiliane
. 1980. "Female Retirement: Effects on Spousal Roles and Marital Adjustment."Journal of Family Issuesl(September):423-440.
57.
Szinovacz, Maximiliane1982. Women's Retirement: Policy Implications of Recent Research. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
58.
Szinovacz, Maximiliane1983. "Beyond the Hearth: Older Women and Retirement." Pp. 93-120 in Older Women, edited by Elizabeth W. Markson. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books.
59.
Thompson, W. E.1958. "Pre-Retirement Anticipation and Adjustment to Retirement."Journal of Social Issues14:35-45.
60.
Ward, Russell L.1979. "The Never Married in Later Life."Journal of Gerontology34(6):861-869.
