- Title
- Experiences of men in regional Australia who retire early: a life course study
- Creator
- Morrison, Richard
- Relation
- University of Newcastle Research Higher Degree Thesis
- Resource Type
- thesis
- Date
- 2016
- Description
- Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Description
- This study into the experiences of early-retired men in the regional Australia uses a qualitative life course approach to better understand the intersections of masculinity, wellbeing and ageing. The study takes place in the context of many deficit-focused notions of older men in popular culture, and some evidence in the research literature for poorer (particularly mental health) outcomes among early retired men. Four specific research questions were articulated around men’s experience of retirement, their pre-retirement experiences, their coping strategies and their sense of wellbeing. Data for the study were drawn from interviews with, and responses to, questionnaires from 25 men who had previously enrolled in the Hunter Community Study (HCS). The semi-structured interview was formulated around life course interests as antecedents, linked lives, cohort characteristics and the interplay between individual and societal development. In the light of the literature, particular attention was also paid to mental health experiences in the interview. Responses given by the men in the HCS on general health, mental health, psychological distress, social support and work/life history were also available to the study. Analysis of the data showed that men generally expressed positive sentiments towards their experience of retirement and that retirement was beneficial for their wellbeing. Retirement appears to function as a time in which men find resolution of many pre-retirement issues and experiences. Four qualities were identified from the data that contribute to men’s retirement wellbeing. First, financial security was almost unanimously named as a component of retirement wellbeing. Second, alongside finances, the availability of discretionary time allowed men freedom to set their own direction and pace in retirement. The third quality of wellbeing was that they pursued comfort of various kinds, including financial sufficiency, a more relaxed lifestyle and improved close relationships. Pursuit captures the fact that this was a conscious and active direction they chose in retirement. Finally, most men committed themselves to serving others in their retirement through both formal and informal arrangements. These caring activities included grandparenting, caring for spouses or ageing parents, volunteering in various community organisations, and neighbourliness of various kinds.
- Subject
- early retirement; life course; experience; wellbeing; masculinity; ageing
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1322418
- Identifier
- uon:24582
- Rights
- Copyright 2016 Richard Morrison
- Language
- eng
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| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
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| View Details Download | ATTACHMENT01 | Thesis | 2 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download | ||
| View Details Download | ATTACHMENT02 | Abstract | 186 KB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |