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Retirement is associated with change in self-esteem
Wiebke Bleidorn1, Ted Schwaba1
1Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis.
Psychology and Aging
|May 8, 2018
Summary
Retirees experience a decline in self-esteem before retirement, followed by stability post-retirement. Individual differences in self-esteem trajectories exist, but moderators remain unidentified in this longitudinal study.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Self-esteem is a crucial aspect of psychological well-being.
- The transition to retirement represents a significant life change impacting individuals' self-perception.
- Understanding self-esteem dynamics during retirement is vital for healthy aging research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the trajectory of self-esteem in individuals transitioning to retirement.
- To compare self-esteem changes between retirees and a matched group of non-retirees.
- To explore potential moderators of individual differences in self-esteem during retirement.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study design utilizing a large, nationally representative sample from the Netherlands.
- Inclusion of 690 retirees (ages 51-81) and 515 propensity-score matched non-retirees.
- Analysis of self-esteem changes over a 10-year period (5 years pre- and 5 years post-retirement).
Main Results:
- Average retirees showed a decrease in self-esteem in the five years preceding retirement.
- Self-esteem remained stable for retirees in the five years following retirement.
- Significant individual variations in self-esteem trajectories were observed, yet no moderators were identified.
Conclusions:
- The retirement transition is associated with a distinct pattern of self-esteem change.
- Further research is needed to identify factors influencing individual differences in self-esteem during retirement.
- Findings contribute to lifespan theories of self-esteem development and psychological adjustment to major life events.
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