European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology ISSN: 1359-432X (Print) 1464-0643 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/pewo20 Adjusting to life in retirement: the protective role of new group memberships and identification as a retiree Catherine Haslam, Ben C. P. Lam, Nyla R. Branscombe, Niklas K. Steffens, S. Alexander Haslam, Tegan Cruwys, Polly Fong & Thomas C. Ball To cite this article: Catherine Haslam, Ben C. P. Lam, Nyla R. Branscombe, Niklas K. Steffens, S. Alexander Haslam, Tegan Cruwys, Polly Fong & Thomas C. Ball (2018) Adjusting to life in retirement: the protective role of new group memberships and identification as a retiree, European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 27:6, 822-839 To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2018.1538127 Published online: 05 Nov 2018. Submit your article to this journal Article views: 44 View Crossmark data Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=pewo20 EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF WORK AND ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY 2018, VOL. 27, NO. 6, 822–839 https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2018.1538127 Adjusting to life in retirement: the protective role of new group memberships and identification as a retiree Catherine Haslama, Ben C. P. Lama, Nyla R. Branscombeb, Niklas K. Steffensa, S. Alexander Haslama, Tegan Cruwys c, Polly Fonga and Thomas C. Ballb aSchool of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; bDepartment of Psychology, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA; cResearch School of Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia ABSTRACT ARTICLE HISTORY Among the many factors that influence retirement adjustment, there is increasing recognition of the Received 31 May 2018 role played by people’s social relationships. In particular, research points to the benefits that joining Accepted 8 October 2018 ’ new groups can have for people s well-being when they experience life change. In three studies, we KEYWORDS extend this research to assess the contribution that new groups and identities make to supporting the Retirement; adjustment; well-being and adjustment of people transitioning to retirement. Study 1, involving 302 retirees, well-being; retiree identity; demonstrates that joining new groups in retirement and developing a stronger sense of identification social identity with retirees predicts life satisfaction after controlling for known predictors (e.g., financial planning, marital status, physical health status, retirement aspirations), while only retiree identification predicts adjustment. We then examine the extent to which multiple group memberships support retirement adjustment and well-being through the mediating role of new group memberships and retiree identification. This is first examined in a cross-sectional study of 90 retired academics (Study 2) and then in a two-wave study involving a general sample of 121 recent retirees (Study 3). Findings from both studies point to the importance of social group and identity gain in retirement adjustment and highlight the particular importance of retiree identification in the transition. Many factors influence successful ageing in retirement, and in adjustment. More specifically, it examines the extent to researchers are increasingly recognizing how important which these two factors support adjustment over and above adjustment to this major life transition is for health and well- established predictors (Study 1) and function as a mechanism being. Indeed, up to 20% of people do not adjust well to to facilitate successful adjustment and well-being in retire- retirement (e.g., Pinquart & Schindler, 2007; Szinovacz, 2003) ment (Studies 2 and 3). and this increases their vulnerability to health-related pro- blems over the course of this transition (Hunter, Wang, & Factors influencing retirement adjustment Worsley, 2007; Wang & Shi, 2014). Here, however, social rela- tionships appear to play a protective role, both as we age and Reflecting the diversity in people’s experience, there is con- as we experience life change, and there is growing evidence siderable variability in the way that retirement is defined. For that our relationships with other people in social groups (e.g., some people, retirement involves leaving work altogether. For with family, friendship, community, and interest groups) may others, it might involve stopping work in one’s primary pro- be especially important in this regard (e.g., Glei et al., 2005; fession while continuing to engage in part-time work (either in Haslam et al., 2018; Jetten, Haslam, & Haslam, 2012). a similar or different capacity to one’s primary profession) or Speaking to these issues, the Social Identity Model of Identity returning to work of some form later in retirement. Given Change (SIMIC) specifies the various social group processes these diverse experiences, studies typically define retirement that support health and well-being in periods of life change. as a life transition that primarily involves formally stopping In-line with one of this model’s core principles, previous work in one’s primary career, but which might also involve research has highlighted the importance of social group mem- engaging in some alternative form of work. This is the defini- berships and associated social identity capital for retirement tion that informs the present research. adjustment (Steffens, Cruwys, Haslam, Jetten, & Haslam, 2016a; This transition involves a range of changes that affect retirees’ Steffens, Jetten, Haslam, Cruwys, & Haslam, 2016b). The pre- vocational identity, financial standing, daily activities and rou- sent research extends this work by examining the particular tines, and social relationships (e.g., Schlossberg, 2004;van role that development of new group memberships in retire- Solinge & Henkens, 2008). Each of these impact on well-being ment, and of a strong sense of identification with retirees, play in retirement and a person’s capacity to adjust to the transition. CONTACT Catherine Haslam [email protected] This work was supported by an Australian Research Council Discovery grant (DP160102514) and the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Social Identity Interactions and Well-being Program. The authors report no conflict of interest. This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article. © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF WORK AND ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY 823 This is demonstrated in studies that assess retirees’ life satisfac- (i.e., voluntariness of retirement, hopes and fears about health, tion (e.g., Pinquart & Schindler, 2007), well-being (e.g., Kubicek, finances, activities, and life quality; e.g., Braithwaite, Gibson, & Korunka, Raymo, & Hoonakker, 2011), happiness (e.g., Calvo, Bosly-Craft, 1986;Fry,2000;McGoldrick&Cooper,1994;Nguyen, Haverstick, & Sass, 2009), self-esteem (e.g., Reitzes, Mutran, & Tirrito, & Barkley, 2014; Taylor, Goldberg, Shore, & Lipka, 2008; Fernandez, 1996) and overall perceptions of adjustment (e.g., Virshup & Coombs, 1993)andsocial ties (Hong & Duff, 1997; Donaldson, Earl, & Muratore, 2010). Unsurprisingly, given that Kupperbusch, Levenson, & Ebling, 2003;Moen,Kim,& retirement is also intertwined with ageing (e.g., Feldman & Beehr, Hofmeister, 2001;Myers&Booth,1996; Reitzes & Mutran, 2004). 2011), similar constructs have also been identified as indicators In the case of social ties, which are the focus of the present of successful ageing in general (e.g., Bowling, 2007). paper, previous research has tended to emphasize the impor- In this context, numerous theories have been developed to tance of individual relationships with one or more significant account for retirement adjustment (e.g., Stage, Life Course and others – typically a spouse or partner, children, friends, and Resource-based theories; see Wang, Henkens, & van Solinge, neighbours. However, the evidence here is mixed. There is 2011, for a discussion). However, two – Role Theory and some suggestion, for example, that being in a marital partnership Continuity Theory – are especially relevant to the present can enhance adjustment, primarily where relationships are sup- investigation which focuses on the particular importance of portive and of high quality (e.g., Kim & Moen, 2001; Price & Joo, social relationships and their contribution to a person’s self- 2005; Taylor et al., 2008; Wong & Earl, 2009). Yet, other studies definition in periods of life change. either do not find the effect (Dorfman, 1995;Kim&Feldman, Role Theory was originally developed to account for the 2000; Pinquart & Schindler, 2007;Price&Joo,2005)orfind impact of life transitions in general (Linton, 1936) and has gender differences in experiences of adjustment between mar- since been applied specifically to the retirement context. It ital partners. Along these lines, several studies report that men argues that retirement results in loss of a person’s work role experience a longer “honeymoon” phase as they move into and that this tends to have negative consequences when that retirement, as evidenced by higher morale and life satisfaction role is integral to their self-definition. However, it suggests (Kim & Moen, 2002) as well as reduced depressive symptoms that such consequences are not inevitable where other roles (Szinovacz & Davey, 2004). There are also gender differences in assume greater importance (e.g., as grandparent or friend)