Women's Mental Health After Retirement

The aim of the current study was to examine mental health outcomes in retired women and determine whether relationships existed among mental health outcomes, sociodemographic characteristics, and type of retirement (i.e., voluntary or forced). A cross-sectional study was conducted with 80 women ages 55 and older residing in five southeastern states. Women had retired at least part-time from working outside of the home. Sociodemographic variables, diagnosis of depression, diagnosis of cognitive impairment, and health-related quality of life were assessed. Women with forced retirement had worse mental health compared to those who retired voluntarily. Minority women had higher rates of forced retirement compared with White women. Poorer mental health outcomes for women with forced retirement suggest the need for careful consideration of this transition as a socially determined health factor for retired women, especially minority women. Clinicians need to assess women for mental health indicators during the transition to retirement and provide educational and therapeutic resources to promote mental health during the transition from working life to retirement. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 56(7), 37-45.].