Response 1

Post an explanation of at least 3 factors that predict an individual’s physical and mental well-being in retirement and how they do so. In your post, please consider how gender and culture play a role in the transition into retirement. Reference at least 2 peer-reviewed articles beyond this week’s Learning Resources to support your post.

When a person reaches retirement, it can be a big transition into the unknown. Several factors can predict a individual’s physical and psychological wellbeing in retirement. The first predictor is if the individual has social connection with his/her personal relationships and community. Research shows that social integration facilitates healthy longevity in both men and women (Moen, 1996). Individuals in retirement fair better if they have several roles which leads to an increased sense of purpose, community and identity (Moen, 1996). Individuals in retirement can increase sense of purpose by volunteering, helping out with other family members/grandchildren and being active in community events such as clubs, church and other community organizations. Some research shows that men are more affected by lack of purpose in roles, however, there is not enough research on the subject (Moen, 1996).

A second predictor is financial resources. Research shows that is an individual does not have enough financial resources at retirement, physiological and psychological well being can be affected due to the stress of financial concerns and also that women were more likely to suffer from depression during retirement than men (Kubicek, Korunka, Raymo,  & Hoonakker, n.d.). One study found that Japanese men that continued to work after retirement had more longevity versus the men who did not (Shohei, Tomonori & Komamura, (2018).

A third predictor of physical and psychological well being in retirement is health. Individuals that may be forced into early retirement due to health issues may not fair as well and individuals who were able to plan out retirement and work up until transitioning into retirement (Moen, 1996). Health issues may cause a shortage in resources such and money, housing and other basic needs (Moen, 1996).

Moen, P. (1996). A life course perspective on retirement, gender, and well-being. Journal Of 

Occupational Health Psychology, 1(2), 131–144. Retrieved from https://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mnh&AN=9547042&site=eds-live&scope=site

Kubicek, B., Korunka, C., Raymo, J. M., & Hoonakker, P. (n.d.). Psychological Well-Being in

Retirement: The Effects of Personal and Gendered Contextual Resources. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY, 16(2), 230–246. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1037/a0022334

Shohei Okamoto, Tomonori Okamura, & Kohei Komamura. (2018). Employment and health

after retirement in Japanese men. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 96(12), 826–833. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.2471/BLT.18.215764