Objective: The specific aim of this study was to explore psychological well-being in workers and retirees and compare responses from people who came from an overseas-born population and those from an Australian born.
Participants: PARTICIPANTS were self-selected, voluntary, informed research participants aged 50 years and older. One hundred and ninety-five people born in Australia and retiring in Australia and 91 people born overseas retiring in Australia responded to an internet-based survey that comprised the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, the PTSD Checklist, the Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Duke Social Support Index.
Method: Two-way analysis of variance was conducted for dependent variables against: (1) being born in Australia Yes/No, and (2) Retired/Employed.
Results: In terms of adjustment to retirement the findings indicate no significant differences in psychological symptoms during the retirement transition phase between populations.
Conclusion: Further research needs to be carried out to consider the role of possible explanatory factors that may contribute to the psychological transition to retirement.