The role of personality for subjective well-being in the retirement transition – Comparing variable- and person-oriented models. (1st October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Henning, Georg; Hansson, Isabelle; Berg, Anne Ingeborg; Lindwall, Magnus; Johansson, Boo
• Is Part Of: Personality and individual differences. Volume 116(2017)
• Page Start: 385
• Page End: 392
• Publication Date: 2017-10-01
• Subjects: Big Five -- Personality types -- Retirement transition -- Well-being; Personality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Personality Development -- Periodicals; Personnalité -- Périodiques; Individualité -- Périodiques; 155.205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2017.05.017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0191-8869

Abstract

Abstract: In this study we investigated the role of personality for wellbeing in the retirement transition. In a sample of Swedish older adults ( N = 2.797) around retirement age (60–66), included in the Health, Aging and Retirement Transitions in Sweden (HEARTS) study, we tested if personality types and/or traits moderated the effect of retirement on change in subjective well-being across one year. We identified four personality types in a latent profile analysis. Using latent change score models, we found that those who retired between assessments showed stronger increases in subjective well-being compared to those not retiring. For one group with low openness, agreeableness, extraversion and conscientiousness, but high neuroticism, retirement was associated with a decrease in well-being. When only personality traits were included, we found a moderating effect of agreeableness so that high scores on agreeableness enhanced the increases in well-being after retirement. The results are compared and discussed in the light of research on personality and retirement. Highlights: We investigated if personality moderates the effect of retirement on well-being. Retirement had a positive effect on change in well-being across one year. Personality moderated the effect of retirement on change in well-being. Person- and variable-oriented models resulted in different findings. Agreeableness was an important moderator in both kinds of models.