The Roles of Leisure Attitudes and Self-Efficacy on Attitudes Toward Retirement Among Retirees: A Sense of Coherence Theory Approach

ABSTRACT

Coping well with retirement could depend on sense of coherence (SOC), how confident an individual is to predict and manage the situation/environment using personal psychological resources. While diverse resources determine SOC, leisure resources could be essential for retirees due to extended free time. This study explored the roles of leisure attitudes (LA) and leisure self-efficacy (LSE) on attitudes toward retirement (ATR) using SOC theory. A total of 423 retirees participated and were asked to complete an on-line questionnaire. Data were analyzed with structural equation modeling. Findings showed that LA and LSE are significant resources in shaping SOC. Moreover, the results demonstrated that the SOC was a crucial determinant of ATR and a mediator between leisure resources and ATR. Overall, this study sheds light on the importance of retirees’ views on leisure and perceptions of their ability to perform leisure in retirement and presents implications for leisure-centered retirement planning programs.

KEYWORDS:

• attitudes toward retirement
• leisure attitude
• leisure self-efficacy
• retirees
• sense of coherence