Attitudes toward work and retirement in Sweden: a multigroup, multivariate analysis

This study examines various work and retirement orientations and ascertains how they apply to four a priori-defined groups. Questionnaire data from an age-stratified random sample of 584 men and women, aged sixty to seventy-five, were analyzed by means of stepwise multiple discriminant analysis. Fourteen out of twenty-five variables contributed significantly to three functions, correctly classifying 54% of the individuals. It was found that preretirees, although anticipating loss of employment after retiring, displayed the least work satisfaction and preferred a lower retirement age, manifesting simultaneous positive attitudes toward retirees and their gatherings; early retirees were characterized by negative attitudes toward work as well as retirement and by ambiguous views of retirees and social integration; working retirees appeared the most work-oriented and evidenced distaste for retirement; fully retired persons were characterized as retirement-oriented and as being negative toward social activities. The results are discussed within the context of previous hypotheses and related findings.