PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES OF RETIREMENT AS A FUNCTION OF SEX AND PREVIOUS OCCUPATIONAL LEVEL

This research, taking into account sex and previous occupational level, examines the influence of retirement on three dependent variables: loneliness, depression, and life satisfaction. One hundred and six men and women, aged 65 and receiving governmental pensions (Regie des rentes du Quebec) completed on two occasions (with a one year interval) the Echelle de solitude de l'Universite Laval, the Questionnaire de depression de Beck and the Echelle de satisfaction de vie. The results indicate that there is no significant difference between Time 1 and Time 2 of evaluation on the three questionnaires (temporal view). However, from a cross-sectional perspective, newly retired men and professionals may be more lonely, less satisfied with their life and more depressed. The results are discussed in the light of Atchley's (1976b) model.