Psychological, Attitudinal, and Socio-Demographic Correlates of Economic Weil-Being of Mature Women

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to determine attitudinal, psychological, and socio-demographic correlates of economic well-being of mature women. Using multiple regression analysis on a sample (N = 1,506) of mature women from the National Longitudinal Survey of Labor Market Experience, this study found that education, race, marital history, attitude toward retirement, and unemployment were predictors of economic well-being for women aged 55–64, while education, traditionality, and work effort were predictors for women aged 65–69. Neither home ownership, residence, receipt of Social Security/other retirement pension benefits, internal-external locus of control, nor health limitations were associated with economic well-being. Bivariate findings indicated that older women were more likely than younger women to be economically disadvantaged and that compared to younger economically disadvantaged women, similarly situated older women were less economically disadvantaged. Overall results suggested that older women rely on work to maintain and/or better their standard of living. Implications regarding the limited impact of Social Security and pensions on the economic well-being of women aged 55–69 are discussed.