The Effects of Retirement on Health-Related Quality of Life of Retirement-Aged Adults for Four Marital Status Subgroups

Abstract

This study identifies the differences in the effects of retirement on physical/mental health as health-related quality of life (HRQOL) across marital status subgroups for the retirement-aged population from 2005 to 2016. This study conducts a Two-Stage least squares (2SLS) regression analysis using cross-sectional and time series data drawn from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The empirical results suggest that retirement is negatively associated with physical health outcomes, whereas retirement is positively associated with mental health outcomes. Divorced men who are retired are likely to have 2.028 more physically unhealthy days per month than divorced men who are employed. Widowed or never married women who are retired are likely to have 2.208 and 2.203 respectively more physically unhealthy days than widowed or never married women who are employed. These retired females in the marital status subgroups have the worst negative retirement effect on physical health. Divorced respondents who are retired are likely to have 1.478 and 1.129 more mentally unhealthy days per month for males and females respectively than the counterparts of those who are employed. In conclusion, this study finds the existence of disparities in the effects of retirement on HRQOL, such as physical/mental health outcomes by marital status.

Quality of life of individuals with serious mental illness and family caregivers

“…The findings for retirees were surprising because they typically have poorer levels of perceived health, due to their older age. This result could be attributed to fewer responsibilities associated with this condition (Son, 2020). Furthermore, low QoL levels are consistent in individuals who are unemployed or with a permanent disability due to economic difficulties, reduced social support networks, and negative consequences for self-concept associated with these circumstances (Leng et al, 2019).…”

Retirement and Health Outcomes in a Meta-Analytical Framework

“…See www.scimagojr.com/SCImagoJournalRank.pdf for details on the calculation of the SJR. The following studies were not included in the final sample because their journals are not indexed in SCImago:Lee and Smith (2009), Fonseca et al (2014), and Son et al (2020.…”