Author: Doreen Seff-Bin Mubarak, Mokoena Patronella Maepa
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The retirement period can be filled with mixed emotions for the retiree. Some of the challenges associated with retirement include socioeconomic factors and quality of life (QoL). The study comprised of a population of retired women (n = 94, 37.6%) and men (n = 156, 62.4%). This study aims to explore the role played by socio- demographic factors on the quality of life among retired people in Gauteng Province, South Africa.
Methods: a quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive design was adopted. Data was collected telephonically, paper- based, and online from 250 retirees who were 60 years of age and above and were sampled using snowball sampling through their social networks. Participants were recruited in Gauteng province, South Africa in 2020. Multiple regression analysis was utilised to test the influence of socio-demographic factors on the quality of life of participants.
Results: The results revealed that age, have dependents, and needed care or support in the last 12 months jointly contributed about 24% (R2 = .240), R = .490 (Adjusted R2 =.218), F (4, 179) = 11.233, p < .001) to the variance in QOL. Independently, age (β = -.216 t = -2.864, p < .005), have dependents (β = -.196, t = -2.928, p < .004), and need care or support in the last 12 months (β = -.240, t = -3.219, p < .002) contributed significantly and negatively to QOL.
Conclusions: The results concluded that socio-demographic factors influence the QOL of retired people. The practical implications of these findings highlight the importance of targeted support for older retirees, particularly those over 70, those with dependents, and those requiring care. Future research should incorporate longitudinal studies to explore how QOL changes over retirement and how shifts in socio-demographic status influence this path.
Keywords: socio-demographic factors; age; gender; care, quality of life, retirement
INTRODUCTION
The concept of retirement is compounded through many definitions[1,2]. Some scholars declare that retirement refers to total disengagement from former active paid work permanently upon reaching retirement age and as defined by the individual [2-4]. Other scholars argue that retirement is a stage in life when people tend to wind down and curtail their daily work demands, rest and relax, and proverbially, “put one’s feet up” whilst appreciating the fruits of their labour[5,6]. Retirement may signal difficulties adjusting to contemporary social roles, expectations about retirement, lifestyle changes, relationships, and vocation, which influence well- being[7,4]. Literary work has implied that the transition might be bewildering and contradictory[8] and, simultaneously, be an exciting time of growth[9] that creates new opportunities[10,11]. According to[12], retirement is often accompanied by regression in personal well-being and perceived subjective position in life. Seemingly, Quality of life (QOL) in older adults was found to be fundamental in assessing psychological, physical, financial, and social functioning as these factors could exert influence on a person’s QOL[13].
For older adults in retirement, the presence of psychological and physical distress is apparent and is associated with impairment of QOL[14,15]. Taking into consideration socio-demographic attributes such as age and gender, older adults reported diminished levels of QOL[16]. The costs of poor QOL can cause distress to the retired person, and they may end up engaging in dysfunctional behaviours. The resultant behaviours can, in turn, further interfere with daily functioning and compromise physical and mental health, with repercussions for the retirees’ capacity to cope with retirement[16]. Aging citizens are growing intercontinental, and the World Health Organization stated that a larger older population exists worldwide compared to the population representation of previous years[17,18]. The WHO[18] further stated that population ages were increasing due to accessibility to healthcare amenities, improved medicine and nourishment, and advancements in applied science, which have increased longevity to more than sixty years. Despite this growing population, retirement research has mainly concentrated on financial consciousness retirement arrangements [23,24] and also health[25- 27]. Despite growing interest, the body of literature addressing retirees’ quality of life (QOL) remains relatively sparse[18-22].
The shift from employment to retiree status is crucial and can impact a person’s quality of life, according to research[28]. This is due to the fact that when someone retires, they are leaving behind a substantial activity that impacts numerous areas of their lives. Personal adjustment to shifts in income, leisure time, social network, and professional identity is necessary during the transition[29]. Retirees must be financially independent, physically fit, socially connected, and psychologically capable of organizing their own lives to have a fulfilling retirement, according to[30]. Most researchers agree that retirement readiness and general quality of life are positively correlated [29,31-33]. Regarding how retirement affects retired people’s quality of life, people diverge[34]. Some academics focus on the advantages of retirement[35,36], while others see it as a difficult time[37,38]. This may be explained by gender, economic, and education-based hierarchies and disparities that produce systems of privilege and disadvantage in society, resulting in a wide range of retirement options[39].
According to age-related research, wellbeing and age are favorably correlated[40,41]. Even though quality of life is supposed to improve with age[42] contends that some retirees may experience a time of disappointment after retirement, during which they feel unsettled and let down. Therefore, quality of life may not always improve with age[42]. Moreover, retirement is influenced by gender disparities as well[43]. Men’s quality of life is higher than women’s due to cumulative disadvantages that women face, such as lower income and education levels, which negatively impact retirement satisfaction[43]. In addition, women’s retirement satisfaction may be adversely affected by a longer life expectancy that necessitates greater resources in retirement, increased health care expenses, and the consequences of earning comparatively lower wages during their working years[44]. However, it might be simpler for women than males to transition into retirement because of their propensity to build strong social relationships and their varied roles that last into retirement[40]. There is a need for additional research because some studies indicate that men transition into retirement more easily than women[45,46]. Despite the retirement planning, sociodemographic factors most likely had a strong enough influence to significantly alter QoL in retirement.
Retirement is not just about not working. It is a convoluted, multifaceted process with a possible influence on the retiree’s QOL[47]. Consequently, older people often regard retirement as a loss of income and reduced self-sufficiency, control, or purpose[48]. Retirement becomes an issue when it is integrated with old age, which merely signifies reduced physical and mental ability, in addition to a shift in economic status[49]. QOL is a desirous measure of adjustment and individual well-being[50]. In this regard, retirement has often been linked with QOL and represents a person’s general contentment with their way of life and general sentiment regarding their well‐being[51]. Earlier research studies have identified variations in physical conditions owing to retirement and differences in QOL regarding retirees[52,53].
Reportedly, retirees with severe state of health face poor retirement pleasure, notably, those diagnosed with terminal and incidental ailments, which impact QOL adversely[54]. Furthermore, scholars have reported that access to financial resources strongly influenced the QOL experienced by retirees[55,56]. Material resources provided retirees with the means and security to seek medical help[57]. Moreover, retirement decisions were also subject to obligations toward family care, education of dependents as well as preparing for retirement, financial shortcomings, compromised health distresses, and social as well as economic issues[58], thus drawing a connection between these contextual factors with the socioeconomic factors.
Thus, it is paramount to study what elements contribute to retirees’ QOL. This study aims to explore the role played by socio-demographic factors on the quality of life among retired people in Gauteng Province, South Africa. This study hypothesized that socio-demographic will play a significant role in the Quality of Life of retired people.
