The role of personality for subjective well-being in the retirement transition – Comparing variable- and person-oriented models

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 trai...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Personality and individual differences 2017-10, Vol.116, p.385-392
Main Authors: Henning, Georg, Hansson, Isabelle, Berg, Anne Ingeborg, Lindwall, Magnus, Johansson, Boo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
adaptation
adjustment
adulthood
Aging
Agreeableness
big 5
Big Five
Comparative analysis
Conscientiousness
Extraversion
latent profile analysis
Life transitions
major life events
moderate
Neuroticism
Older people
Openness
Personality tests
Personality traits
Personality types
Psychology
Psykologi
Retirement
Retirement transition
satisfaction
scale
traits
Well being
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Summary: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. •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.
ISSN:0191-8869
1873-3549
DOI:10.1016/j.paid.2017.05.017