Gender differences in the effect of social resources and social status on the retirement satisfaction and health of retirees

ABSTRACT

This study explores the effect of positive and negative social support, social reciprocity, and subjective social status on the retirement satisfaction and health of retirees and gender differences therein. Using cross-sectional data from the 2010 and 2012 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), we found that social support seems to matter more for the retirement satisfaction and health of women, while social reciprocity matters more for the health of men and subjective social status for the retirement satisfaction of men. Implications for the development of social programs and policies over the life course are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Social support
• social reciprocity
• health and retirement study
• retiree

Disclosure statement

No conflict of interest is reported.

Notes

^1. It is important to point out that the experiences of men of color with obtaining employment and quality jobs has been negatively influenced by many factors, including persistent discrimination, the hiring practices of employers, geographic and social isolation, substandard secondary education, poor quality education and career guidance, among other factors (Spaulding, Lerman, Holzer, & Eyster, 2015).

Additional information

Funding

No funding is received for this project.