Transitioning into retirement as a stressful life event
pp. 133-146
in: Thomas W. Miller (ed), Handbook of stressful transitions across the lifespan, Berlin, Springer, 2010Abstract
Retirement can be for some a very stressful life experience. To get the idea, one needs only to witness the press conference on March 6, 2008, of Bret Farve, the Green Bay Packers quarterback who tearfully announced his retirement. It was very difficult for him to give up a career that he loved and that had lasted so long. As a matter of fact, it was so stressful that he eventually came out of retirement and played the 2008 season for the New York Jets.Many individuals find themselves in a similar situation concerning their retirement if they really enjoyed their work and the many positive aspects of self-esteem that work brought them. Most individuals spend their early life gearing up for a career, acquiring a work ethic and becoming a contributing member of society. A great many aspects of the self are grounded in one's occupation and acquired work ethic and skills. When the time to transition from ones work life into retirement comes, it is a whole new journey of life. This chapter examines retirement as a stressful life transition in that it is a common developmental challenge faced by maturing adults and as such it brings with it many new and unique demands, challenges and opportunities.