Change of Leisure Satisfaction in the Transition to Retirement: A Latent-Class Analysis

Abstract

This study analyzes patterns of change in leisure satisfaction in the transition to retirement in 1,456 German retirees. Using latent growth mixture modeling, three patterns are identified. The largest subgroup shows a linear increase in leisure satisfaction during the four years prior to retirement and in the first months of retirement, followed by stability thereafter. Two smaller groups show no average change and a strong and rapid increase in leisure satisfaction after retirement, respectively. Groups differed by retirement age, gender, socioeconomic status, marital status, health, hours of leisure activities before retirement, and unemployment before retiring. In addition, similarities and differences are identified between changes in leisure satisfaction and changes in global life satisfaction during the retirement transition.

Keywords:

• development
• growth curves
• longitudinal study
• psychological well-being
• retirees

Notes

^a For classes 1 and 2 the Pre loadings for years 2, 3, and 4 prior to retirement are fixed at zero (indicating no retirement-related change during these years), for class 3 these loadings are fixed at −1. The Pre loading for year 1 prior to retirement is fixed at −1 in all classes.

∗p < .05.

∗∗ p < .01.

∗∗∗p < .001.

^a Percentages are reported for gender, marital status, unemployment, and being from East Germany (the variables included in the regression were binary 0/1).

∗p < .05.

∗∗ p < .01.

∗∗∗p < .001.

∗p < .016.