The role of social connectedness in the process of retirement

Abstract

Research on retirement assumes increasing importance in the context of population ageing. Most studies have investigated the financial, health and employment-related factors associated with retirement decisions, though some studies have included spouse and family characteristics. Research has consistently shown that social connectedness has benefits for health and well-being in older adulthood. However, little research has addressed the relationship between aspects of social connectedness (network structure, network quality, social support and formal social engagement) and the different phases in the process of retirement, including retirement planning, retirement status and life in retirement. This is the aim of this thesis. The conceptual framework for this study posits a trade-off between work and social connectedness. Extending Carstensen’s socioemotional selectivity theory, it is hypothesised that the value of social connectedness increases as subjective remaining time in life becomes more limited, motivating older adults to retire. Adopting a life course perspective, it is proposed that current levels of social connectedness stem from having built (or not) meaningful networks over the life course and that current level determines the impact of social connectedness on retirement and how much change occurs in social connectedness after retirement. Therefore, in the context of a trade-off between work and connectedness and a more limited future time perspective at older ages, it was expected that older adults who have built higher levels of connectedness over their life course would be more likely to plan an earlier retirement and retire earlier. However, based on Antonucci and Akiyama’s convoy model of social relationships and Atchley’s retirement phases, it was simultaneously expected that the process of retirement would influence older adults’ social connectedness. Two data sources are analysed. Cross-sectional analysis of the 2010-2011 national Social Networks and Ageing Project (SNAP) survey provided detailed information on older adults’ social connectedness. Analysis of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) provided a longitudinal component (waves 1 to 11, collected 2001-2011). Consistent with the concept of gendered life course, analysis shows that the role of social connectedness in the process of retirement varies by sex and the aspect of social connectedness in question. For males, there is evidence of productive role replacement between paid work and voluntary work, and a ‘honeymoon’ effect was observed regarding network structure. Results for males suggest a significant impact of the process of retirement on social connectedness. In contrast, social connectedness acts as a ‘pull’ factor for females to move into retirement. This was observed in terms of both network structure and social support. The findings for females provide evidence for a trade-off mechanism between work and social connectedness. This thesis has contributed to knowledge by showing that social connectedness plays a significant role in the process of retirement. Thus, future research on retirement should incorporate the different aspects of social connectedness in order to provide a more comprehensive understanding of this important social transition. Policies directed at prolonging working lives should take into account the social connectedness characteristics and behaviour of the older population. Show more