Exploring the Impact of Demographic, Personality, and Job Reattainment Variables on Unemployment-Delayed Retirement Intent

Abstract

A diverse sample of unemployed respondents completed an online survey investigating the impact of demographic, personality, and job reattainment variables on their unemployment-delayed retirement intent (UDRI). The authors found that being unemployed for a longer time period, older, having more dependents to support, in greater denial of recent job loss, as well perceiving poor job re-attainment prospects were each related to higher UDRI. Poor job reattainment was measured using two separate items: perceptions of obtaining another job that would not be as good and taking time, and perceptions that there was no end in sight to unemployment. The results have implications for Employee Assistance Plans.

KEYWORDS:

• unemployment
• retirement
• delayed retirement intent
• Employee Assistance Programs

Notes

Note. N = 438.

Note. N = 398. NA = not applicable.

r > .10, p < .05; r > .13, p < .01 (both two-tailed).

^a 1 = fewer than 3 months, 2 = 3–6 months, 3 = 7–9 months, 4 = 10–12 months, 5 = 13–15 months, 6 = 16–18 months, 7 = 19–21 months, 8 = 22–24 months, and 9 = more than 24 months.

^b 1 = less than high school degree, 2 = high school degree, 3 = some college, 4 = associate's degree, 5 = college degree, 6 = master's degree, 7 = doctorate, medical, or law degree.

^c 1 = younger than age 20, 2 = 20–29, 3 = 30–39, 4 = 40–50, 5 = 51–60, 6 = 61–65, and 7 = older than 65.

^d 1 = under $50,000, 2 = $50,001–$75,000, 3 = $75,001–$100,000, 4 = $100,001–$150,000, 5 = $150,001–$200,000, 6 = $200,001–$250,000, and 7 = over $250,000.

^e 1 = 0, 2 = 1, 3 = 2, 4 = 3, 5 = 4, 6 = 5, and 7 = 6 or more.

^f 1 =strongly disagree, 2 =disagree, 3 =somewhat disagree, 4 =neither disagree nor agree, 5 =somewhat agree, 6 =agree, 7 =strongly agree.

^g Coefficient alpha (in parenthesis).

Note. N = 370. Regression coefficients b =unstandardized regression weights, SE = standard error.

^a 1 = male, 2 = female.

^b 1 = non-White, 2 = White.

^c 1 = married, 2 = not married.

^d 1 = yes, 2 = no.

*p < .05, **p < .01, ***p < .001 (two-tailed).