Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Qualitative analysis of transition from work to retirement among Slovak retirees

  • Published:
Current Psychology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim of this study was to qualitatively explore the adjustment to retirement transition from the point of view of recently retired Slovak individuals. The special focus of the study was on factors which helped or blocked the process of this adjustment. The data obtained from semi-structured interviews were analyzed by Consensual Qualitative Research-Modified (Spangler et al. 2012). Forty seniors (M = 63.36; SD = 2.47) participated in the research. The analysis resulted in the creation of a categorization consisting of four domains: the process of transition from work to retirement; helpful factors during the transition; risk factors during the transition; and perceived positive and negative changes in retirement. The categories and representative statements were the foundation for the creation of three typical cases. The most common case is an individual who looks forward to retirement because the retiree is tired of the job. After retiring, the retiree experiences relief and satisfaction, perceives new possibilities, and experiences positive changes. The main helpful factors in adaption to retirement were identified as engaging in new activities, social relationships, good health, previous retirement planning, as well as protective attitudes, such as acceptance, gratitude, optimism and perception of the finality of life. Overall, the most frequently occurring risk factors in adaptation to retirement were bereavement, prolongation of the retirement age, lack of finances, and a partner’s illness. Positive and negative changes during retirement are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adams, G. A., & Rau, B. L. (2011). Putting off tomorrow to do what you want today: Planning for retirement. American Psychologist, 66(3), 180–192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alessie, R., Van Rooij, M., & Lusardi, A. (2011). Financial literacy and retirement preparation in the Netherlands. Journal of Pension Economics & Finance, 10(4), 527–545.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allenden, N., Boman, P., Mergler, A., & Furlong, M. J. (2016). Positive psychology constructs as predictors of depression in retirees. Ageing and Society, 38(5), 1–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Atchley, R. C. (1989). A continuity theory of normal aging. The Gerontologist, 29(2), 183–190. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2519525. Accessed 21 Jan 2019

  • Bačová, V., & Kostovičová, L. (2018). Too far away to care about? Predicting psychological preparedness for retirement financial planning among young employed adults. Ekonomický časopis, 66(1), 43–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnes, H., & Parry, J. (2004). Renegotiating identity and relationships: Men and women’s adjustments to retirement. Ageing and Society, 24(02), 213–233.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnett, I., van Sluijs, E., Ogilvie, D., & Wareham, N. J. (2014). Changes in household, transport and recreational physical activity and television viewing time across the transition to retirement: Longitudinal evidence from the EPIC-Norfolk cohort. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 68(8), 747–753.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Berger, U., Der, G., Mutrie, N., & Hannah, M. K. (2005). The impact of retirement on physical activity. Ageing and Society, 25(2), 181–195.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burn, K., Dennerstein, L., Browning, C., & Szoeke, C. (2016). Patterns of social engagement in the transition to later life. Maturitas, 88, 90–95.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Capistrant, B. D., Berkman, L. F., & Glymour, M. M. (2014). Does duration of spousal caregiving affect risk of depression onset? Evidence from the health and retirement study. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 22(8), 766–770.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, Y., & Feeley, T. H. (2014). Social support, social strain, loneliness, and well-being among older adults. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 31(2), 141–161.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chopik, W. J., Newton, N. J., Ryan, L. H., Kashdan, T. B., & Jarden, A. J. (2017). Gratitude across the life span: Age differences and links to subjective well-being. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 1–11.

  • Chung, S., Domino, M. E., Stearns, S. C., & Popkin, B. M. (2009). Retirement and physical activity. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 36(5), 422–428. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2009.01.026.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dal Bianco, C., Trevisan, E., & Weber, G. (2015). “I want to break free”. The role of working conditions on retirement expectations and decisions. European Journal of Ageing, 12(1), 17–28.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Damman, M., Henkens, K., & Kalmijn, M. (2015). Women’s retirement intentions and behavior: The role of childbearing and marital histories. European Journal of Population, 31(4), 339–363.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dave, D., Rashad, I., & Spasojevic, J. (2006). The effects of retirement on physical and mental health outcomes. Cambridge.

  • de Rezende, L. F. M., Rey-López, J. P., Matsudo, V. K. R., & Luiz, O. d. C. (2014). Sedentary behavior and health outcomes among older adults: A systematic review. BMC Public Health, 14(1), 333.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Dorfman, L. T., & Kolarik, D. C. (2005). Leisure and the retired professor: Occupation matters. Educational Gerontology, 31(5), 343–361.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dorn, D., & Sousa-Poza, A. (2010). ‘Voluntary’ and ‘involuntary’ early retirement: An international analysis. Applied Economics, 42(4), 427–438.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eibich, P. (2015). Understanding the effect of retirement on health: Mechanisms and heterogeneity. Journal of Health Economics, 43, 1–12.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377–389.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Feldman, D. C., & Beehr, T. A. (2011). A three-phase model of retirement decision making. American Psychologist, 66(3), 193–203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frankl, V. E. (Viktor E. (2006). Man’s search for meaning. Beacon Press.

  • Gallo, W. T., Bradley, E. H., Dubin, J. A., Jones, R. N., Falba, T. A., Teng, H.-M., & Kasl, S. V. (2006). The persistence of depressive symptoms in older workers who experience involuntary job loss: Results from the health and retirement survey. The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 61(4), S221–S228.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Griffin, B., & Hesketh, B. (2008). Post-retirement work: The individual determinants of paid and volunteer work. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 81(1), 101–121. https://doi.org/10.1348/096317907X202518.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayslip, B., & Kaminski, P. L. (2005). Grandparents raising their grandchildren: A review of the literature and suggestions for practice. The Gerontologist, 45(2), 262–269. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/45.2.262.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hershey, D. A., & Van Dalen, H. P. (2007). Mapping the minds of retirement planners: A Cross-Cultural Perspective. Resource document https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022107300280.

  • Hershey, D. A., Mowen, J. C., & Jacobs-Lawson, J. M. (2003). An experimental comparison of retirement planning intervention seminars. Educational Gerontology, 29(4), 339–359.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heybroek, L., Haynes, M., & Baxter, J. (2015). Life satisfaction and retirement in Australia: A longitudinal approach. Work, Aging and Retirement, 1(2), 166–180. https://doi.org/10.1093/workar/wav006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, C. E. (2012). Introduction to consensual qualitative research. In Consensual qualitative research: A practical resource for investigating social science phenomena (pp. 3–20). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, C. E., & Williams, E. N. (2012). The sample. In Consensual qualitative research: A practical resource for investigating social science phenomena. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, C. E., Knox, S., Thompson, B. J., Williams, E. N., & Hess, S. A. (2005). Consensual qualitative research: An update. Journal of counseling psychology (Vol. 52). Retrieved fromhttps://epublications.marquette.edu/edu_fac/18. Accessed 18 Nov 2018

  • Hobfoll, S. E. (2002). Social and psychological resources and adaptation. Review of General Psychology, 6(4), 307–324. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.6.4.307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holmes, T. H., & Rahe, R. H. (1967). The social readjustment rating scale. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 11(2), 213–218.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Huxhold, O., Miche, M., & Schuz, B. (2014). Benefits of having friends in older ages: Differential effects of informal social activities on well-being in middle-aged and older adults. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 69(3), 366–375.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jex, S. M., Wang, M., & Zarubin, A. (2007). Aging and occupational health. In Aging and work in the 21st century (pp. 199–223). Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnston, T. (1990). Retirement: What happens to the marriage. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 11(4), 347–359. https://doi.org/10.3109/01612849009006522.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kaptijn, R., Thomese, F., van Tilburg, T. G., & Liefbroer, A. C. (2010). How grandparents matter: Support for the cooperative breeding hypothesis in a contemporary Dutch population. Human Nature (Hawthorne, N.Y.), 21(4), 393–405.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, S., & Feldman, D. C. (2000). Working in retirement: The antecedents of bridge employment and its consequences for quality of life in retirement. Academy of Management Journal, 43(6), 1195–1210.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krause, N. (2006). Gratitude toward god, stress, and health in late life. Research on Aging, 28(2), 163–183.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lahti, J., Laaksonen, M., Lahelma, E., & Rahkonen, O. (2011). Changes in leisure-time physical activity after transition to retirement: A follow-up study. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 8(1), 36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Latif, E. (2011). The impact of retirement on psychological well-being in Canada. The Journal of Socio-Economics, 40(4), 373–380.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loureiro, H. M. A. M., Mendes, A. M. d. O., Camarneiro, A. P. F., da Silva, M. A. M., & Pedreiro, A. T. M. (2016). Perceptions about the transition to retirement: A qualitative study. Texto e Contexto Enfermagem, 25(1).

  • Marshall, V. W., Clarke, P. J., & Ballantyne, P. J. (2001). Instability in the retirement transition. Research on Aging, 23(4), 379–409.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muratore, A. M., & Earl, J. K. (2015). Improving retirement outcomes: The role of resources, pre-retirement planning and transition characteristics. Ageing and Society, 35(10), 2100–2140.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nimrod, G. (2008). Retirement and tourism themes in retirees’ narratives. Annals of Tourism Research, 35(4), 859–878.

    Google Scholar 

  • Osborne, J. W. (2012). Canadian journal of counselling = revue canadienne de counseling. Canadian journal of counselling and psychotherapy / revue canadienne de counseling et de psychothérapie (Vol. 46). Retrieved from https://cjc-rcc.ucalgary.ca/cjc/index.php/rcc/article/view/1546. Accessed 04 Dec 2018

  • Owen, N., Healy, G. N., Matthews, C. E., & Dunstan, D. W. (2010). Too much sitting: The population health science of sedentary behavior. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 38(3), 105–113.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Pinquart, M., & Schindler, I. (2007). Changes of life satisfaction in the transition to retirement: A latent-class approach. Psychology and Aging, 22(3), 442–455.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Price, C. A., & Joo, E. (2005). Exploring the relationship between marital status and Women’s retirement satisfaction. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 61(1), 37–55.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pushkar, D., Chaikelson, J., Conway, M., Etezadi, J., Giannopoulus, C., Li, K., & Wrosch, C. (2010). Testing continuity and activity variables as predictors of positive and negative affect in retirement. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 65B(1), 42–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quick, H. E., & Moen, P. (1998). Gender, employment, and retirement quality: A life course approach to the differential experiences of men and women. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 3(1), 44–64.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reitzes, D. C., & Mutran, E. J. (2004). The transition to retirement: Stages and factors that influence retirement adjustment. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 59(1), 63–84.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Riley, M. W., & Riley, J. W., Jr. (1994). Structural lag: Past and future. In Age and structural lag: Society’s failure to provide meaningful opportunities in work, family, and leisure (pp. 15–36). Oxford: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Routasalo, P., & Pitkala, K. H. (2003). Loneliness among older people. Reviews in Clinical Gerontology, 13(4), 303–311.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabbath, E. L., Lubben, J., Goldberg, M., Zins, M., & Berkman, L. F. (2015). Social engagement across the retirement transition among “young-old” adults in the French GAZEL cohort. European Journal of Ageing, 12(4), 311–320.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Sahlgren, G. H. (2012). Work ‘Til you drop: Short- and longer-term health effects of retirement in Europe. SSRN Electronic Journal.

  • Scherger, S., Nazroo, J., & Higgs, P. (2011). Leisure activities and retirement: do structures of inequality change in old age? Ageing and Society, 31(01), 146–172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Segel-Karpas, D., Ayalon, L., & Lachman, M. E. (2018). Loneliness and depressive symptoms: The moderating role of the transition into retirement. Aging & Mental Health, 22(1), 135–140.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shultz, K. S., & Wang, M. (2007). The influence of specific physical health conditions on retirement decisions. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 65(2), 149–161.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Siegrist, J., Wahrendorf, M., von dem Knesebeck, O., Jurges, H., & Borsch-Supan, A. (2007). Quality of work, well-being, and intended early retirement of older employees--baseline results from the SHARE study. The European Journal of Public Health, 17(1), 62–68.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Silver, M. (2016). Life after medicine: A systematic review of studies of physicians’ adjustment to retirement. Archives of Community Medicine and Public Health, 001–007.

  • Spangler, P. T., Liu, J., & Hill, C. E. (2012). Consensual qualitative research for simple qualitative data: An introduction to CQR-M. In Consensual qualitative research: A practical resource for investigating social science phenomena (pp. 269–283). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Staats, S., & Pierfelice, L. (2003). Travel: A long-range goal of retired women. The Journal of Psychology, 137(5), 483–494.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Steffens, N. K., Jetten, J., Haslam, C., Cruwys, T., & Haslam, S. A. (2016). Multiple social identities enhance health post-retirement because they are a basis for giving social support. Frontiers in Psychology, 7, 1519.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Szinovacz, M. E., & Davey, A. (2004). Honeymoons and joint lunches: effects of retirement and spouse’s employment on depressive symptoms. The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 59(5), P 233–245. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15358796. Accessed 03 Feb 2019

  • Thomopoulou, I., Dimitra, T., & Koutsouki, D. (2010). The difference at quality of life and loneliness between elderly people. Biology of Exercise, 6, 13–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, B. J., Vivino, B. L., & Hill, C. E. (2012). Coding the data: Domains and core ideas. In Consensual qualitative research: A practical resource for investigating social science phenomena (pp. 103–116). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Topa, G., & Pra, I. (2017). Retirement adjustment quality: Optimism and self-efficacy as antecedents of resource accumulation. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 1–21.

  • Topa, G., & Valero, E. (2017). Preparing for retirement: How self-efficacy and resource threats contribute to retirees’ satisfaction, depression, and losses. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 26(6), 811–827.

    Google Scholar 

  • van den Bogaard, L., Henkens, K., & Kalmijn, M. (2016). Retirement as a relief? The role of physical job demands and psychological job stress for effects of retirement on self-rated health. European Sociological Review, 32(2), 295–306.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Den Bogaards, L., Henkens, K., & Kalmijn, M. (2014). So now what? Effects of retirement on civic engagement. Ageing and Society, 34(07), 1170–1192.

    Google Scholar 

  • van Solinge, H. (2013). Adjustment to retirement. In The Oxford handbook of retirement (pp. 311–324). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • van Solinge, H., & Henkens, K. (2005). Couples’ adjustment to retirement: A multi-actor panel study. The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 60(1), S11-20.Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15643041. Accessed 09 Jan 2019

  • van Solinge, H., & Henkens, K. (2008). Adjustment to and satisfaction with retirement: Two of a kind? Psychology and Aging, 23(2), 422–434.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vidovićová, L. (2014). Preference theory in advanced age and the older Czech workforce. Studia Humanistyczne AGH, 13(4), 49–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vidovićová, L., Manea, B. E., & Rabušic, L. (2008). Only fools rush in? On transition to retirement. In C. Hohn, D. Avramov, & I. Kotowska (Eds.), People, population change and policies: Lessons from the population policy acceptance study (Vol. 2, pp. 267–288). Wiesbaden: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, M. (2007). Profiling retirees in the retirement transition and adjustment process: Examining the longitudinal change patterns of retirees’ psychological well-being. Journal of Applied Psychology, 92(2), 455–474.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, M., & Chen, Y. (2006). Age differences in attitude change: Influences of cognitive resources and motivation on responses to argument quantity. Psychology and Aging, 21(3), 581–589.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, M., & Hesketh, B. (2012). Achieving well-being in retirement : Recommendations from 20 years of research. SIOP White Paper Series, 22.

  • Wang, M., & Shultz, K. S. (2010). Employee retirement: A review and recommendations for future investigation. Journal of Management, 36(1), 172–206.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, M., Henkens, K., & van Solinge, H. (2011a). Retirement adjustment: A review of theoretical and empirical advancements. American Psychologist, 66(3), 204–213.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, M., Liao, H., Zhan, Y., & Shi, J. (2011b). Daily Customer Mistreatment and Employee Sabotage Against Customers: Examining Emotion and Resource Perspectives. Retrieved from https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2631190. Accessed 15 Feb 2019

  • Wetzel, M., & Huxhold, O. (2016). Are leisure activity and health interconnected after retirement: Educational differences. Advances in Life Course Research, 30, 43–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yalom, I. D. (2008). Staring at the sun : Overcoming the terror of death. Jossey-Bass.

  • Yeung, D. Y., & Zhou, X. (2017). Planning for retirement: Longitudinal effect on retirement resources and post-retirement well-being. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 1300.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Zhan, Y., Wang, M., Liu, S., & Shultz, K. S. (2009). Bridge employment and retirees’ health: A longitudinal investigation. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 14(4), 374–389.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the grant agency VEGA under the contract No. 2/0048/18 “The psychological aspects of the adaptation to retirement”.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Experimental Psychology, Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 5819/9, 841 04 Karlova Ves, Bratislava, Slovakia

    Lucia Záhorcová & Peter Halama

  2. Institute of Applied Psychology, Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, Comenius University, Mlynské luhy 4, 821 05, Bratislava, Slovakia

    Žaneta Škrobáková

  3. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Educational Psychology-Human Development, 1025 Johnson Street, Madison, WI, 53701, USA

    Amy Vatne Bintliff

  4. Department of Psychology, Trnava University in Trnava, Hornopotočná 23, 91701, Trnava, Slovakia

    Simona Navarová

Authors
  1. Lucia Záhorcová
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Peter Halama
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Žaneta Škrobáková
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Amy Vatne Bintliff
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Simona Navarová
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lucia Záhorcová.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Statement of Human Rights

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Záhorcová, L., Halama, P., Škrobáková, Ž. et al. Qualitative analysis of transition from work to retirement among Slovak retirees. Curr Psychol 40, 1531–1545 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-019-00384-w

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-019-00384-w

Keywords

Search

Navigation