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Psychological aspects of retirement
Canadian Family Physician Medecin De Famille Canadien
|February 2, 2011
Summary
Retirement adjustment is typically manageable, though individuals with prior coping difficulties may face challenges. Psychotherapy is the primary treatment for mild anxiety and depression during this life transition.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
Background:
- Retirement is a common life transition.
- Individuals with a history of coping difficulties may be more vulnerable to psychological distress during retirement.
- Late life adjustment can present unique challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the psychological impact of retirement.
- To identify factors contributing to difficulties during retirement.
- To outline treatment approaches for retirement-related psychological issues.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of retirement adjustment experiences.
- Review of clinical cases experiencing psychological distress in late life.
- Literature synthesis on psychotherapy and pharmacological interventions.
Main Results:
- Most individuals adapt well to retirement.
- A subset experiences adjustment reactions, including mild anxiety and significant depressive reactions.
- Co-occurring life events often precipitate severe reactions.
Conclusions:
- Retirement is a normal life stage, not inherently a crisis.
- Psychotherapy, individually or with a spouse, is the primary treatment for mild cases.
- Pharmacological and other physical treatments may supplement psychotherapy in select instances.
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