Loneliness in Retirement

Loneliness has been identified as a subjective unpleasant feeling of emptiness and distress, affecting diverse age groups, particularly retirees. Retirement is a major life event characterized by the cessation of professional activities and the loss of regular income. These phenomena are often combined and their relationship can be complex.

The research encompassed 75 randomly selected outpatients at the University Hospital Center Zagreb, Department for Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine in Zagreb Croatia with an anxiety disorder who were in remission and met the inclusion criteria. The participants were divided into three groups of 25 respondents: five years before retirement, one year before retirement, and one year after retirement. The participants were tested once using psychological tests: The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA); and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview.

This study examined loneliness among 75 participants across retirement phases. UCLA Loneliness Scale scores increased significantly from pre to post-retirement (p<0.001), peaking one year after retirement. Emotional loneliness, particularly feelings of isolation, rose sharply, while social loneliness increased gradually. A One-Way Analysis of Variance confirmed a significant effect of retirement on loneliness, F (2.72)=24,561, p<0.001, with an impact level of η²=0.405. A substantial impact is observed on emotional and social well-being.

Study results indicate a significant increase in loneliness among retired individuals. Transition to retirement can have an impact on individuals' emotions and social interactions. There is a need to support retirees in establishing new daily routines.