Segel-Karpas D, Bergman YS. Retirement anxiety and depressive symptoms among middle-aged adults: An indirect effect through death anxiety.
DEATH STUDIES 2020;
46:245-249. [PMID:
32048553 DOI:
10.1080/07481187.2020.1725933]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Basing our argument on Terror Management Theory, we posit that retirement is an age-related transition, which could result in greater death saliency and anxiety, leading to increased depressive symptoms. An indirect-effect model was tested on a convenience sample of 574 Israeli Jewish older workers (mean age = 57), finding that the link between retirement anxiety and depressive symptoms is mediated through death anxiety. Anxious anticipation of retirement could imply that the individual perceives it as an "end," resulting in greater death saliency and death anxiety, which are related to poorer mental health. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Collapse