New York: It’s high time somebody spoke of retirement blues. A study that has delved into understanding the triggers of post retirement despondency claims three important factors that measure a man’s attitude towards retirement . - Marriage, mental outlook physical health and pension, in that order. Surprisingly, pension does not figure first on the must have’s list for a happy retirement.
The study tracked a group of socially deficient men from their youthful stage. The finding revealed that the men who inclined towards a happy retirement were those who had enjoyed relationships, spent happy vacations and ultimately found great satisfaction with their jobs.In the words of the authors "A relatively high level of satisfaction with retirement was often attained by men who had reported many risk factors for poor child and midlife development ... but who in later life had some positive resources such as a good marriage and easy-going attitude to life”
The revelation from the study group astounded researchers, especially when it suggested that retirement happiness did not evade even those afflicted from some form of physical disability or received a meager pension. The finding has been published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
The men who spoke of their retirement as a happy one, were almost thrice as likely to have enjoyed happy relationships, and were keen with play and hobbies, according to the report.
Perhaps the difference that spoke volumes between the satisfied retirees and the dissatisfied ones, were the obvious answers from the former group that seemed to quote examples of "watching grandchildren" or "playing piano" when queried about their sense of purpose post retirement. The dissatisfied often answered in an aimless manner with "nothing" or with activities like "watching TV."
