Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-4rdpn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-09T05:38:35.082Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Mandatory retirement for older professional drivers: an exploration of experiences for older Singaporean taxi drivers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2014

MEI LENG CHAN ,
L. GUSTAFSSON  and
JACKI LIDDLE
MEI LENG CHAN*
Affiliation:
Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore. School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
L. GUSTAFSSON
Affiliation:
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
JACKI LIDDLE
Affiliation:
Asia-Pacific Centre for Neuromodulation, UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Brisbane, Australia. Royal Brisbane Hospital Campus, The University of Queensland, Herston, Australia.
*
Address for correspondence: Mei Leng Chan, Principal Occupational Therapist, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore308433. E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Singapore has an age-based mandatory retirement policy for taxi drivers. In 2006, the upper age limit of mandatory retirement was raised from 70 to 73 years for healthy, older taxi drivers. Retirement from taxi driving in Singapore often results in simultaneous retirement from work and forced driving cessation due to limited private vehicle ownership. While both retirement from work and driving cessation have been found to have negative implications for health and wellbeing in Western countries, little is known about the effects of mandatory retirement and driving cessation for healthy professional drivers in an Asian context. This study aimed to explore the mandatory retirement experience of older Singaporean taxi drivers, aged 70–73 years. In-depth interviews were conducted within a descriptive phenomenological approach with 23 older Singaporean taxi drivers who were retired or retiring drivers. Findings showed the experience to be dominated by retirement from work issues rather than by driving cessation. Three themes described the experiences: ‘stories of taxi driving’, ‘feeling lost in retirement’ and ‘contradictions of growing old in Singapore’. Taxi driving was a valued role. Despite an expected retirement, most participants were not prepared for the retirement transition. They struggled with emotional adjustment, financial vulnerability, identity, reduction in life-space and meaningful activity participation. Participants felt under-valued despite having personal achievements and support from family and ‘successful ageing’ policies. Work remained a preferred activity despite limited re-employment opportunities. The unique context of expected but forced retirement, financial need in a non-welfare system, high cultural value on work, and limited options for productive or meaningful activities and roles, predisposed this sub-group of older Singaporean men to be vulnerable retirees in terms of identity and wellbeing issues. Support for a stressful late-life transition is indicated for continued health and wellbeing.

Keywords

qualitative methodretirement transitionculturedrivingageing
Type
Articles
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 35 , Issue 7 , August 2015 , pp. 1384 - 1409
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Addis, M. and Mahalik, J. 2003. Men, masculinity and the context of help seeking. The American Psychologist, 58, 1, 5–14.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Anstey, K., Windsor, T., Luszcz, M. and Andrews, G. 2006. Predicting driving cessation over 5 years in older adults: psychological well-being and cognitive competence are stronger predictors than physical health. Journal of American Geriatric Society, 54, 1, 121–6.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Beehr, T. and Bennett, M. 2007. Examining retirement from a multi-level perspective. In Shultz, K. (ed.), Aging and Work in the 21st Century. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale, New Jersey, 277–99.Google Scholar
Blazer, D. 2002. Depression in Late Life. Third edition, Springer, New York.Google ScholarPubMed
Boyle, P., Buchman, A., Barnes, L., James, B. and Bennett, D. 2010. Association between life space and risk of mortality in advanced age. Journal of American Geriatrics Society, 58, 10, 1925–30.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Chan, A. 2009. Ageing in Singapore: policy challenges and innovations. In Fu, T. and Hughes, R. (eds), Ageing in East Asia: Challenges and Policies for the Twenty-first Century. Routledge, Abingdon, UK, 89–137.Google Scholar
Chan, M., Gustafsson, L. and Liddle, J. 2010 a. Driving assessment for older taxi drivers in Singapore. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 17, 2, 92–6.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chan, M., Gustafsson, L. and Liddle, J. 2010 b. Survey of health and licensing policies for taxi drivers in Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia: a perspective from evidence on older drivers. Singapore Medical Journal, 51, 12, 913–22.Google Scholar
Cheung, F., Tang, C. and Yan, E. 2006. Factors influencing intention to continue volunteering: a study of older Chinese in Hong Kong. Journal of Social Service Research, 32, 4, 193–209.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Choi, M., Adams, K. B. and Kahana, E. 2012. The impact of transportation support on driving cessation among community-dwelling older adults. Journals of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 67B, 3, 392–400.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Clark, F., Azen, S., Zemke, R., Jackson, J., Carlson, M., Mandel, D., Hay, J., Josephson, K., Cherry, B., Hessel, C., Palmer, J. and Lipson, L. 1997. Occupational therapy for independent living older adults. Journal of the American Medical Association, 278, 16, 1321–26.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Curro, M. 2010. Seniors Perception Around Driving Cessation. Masters thesis, University of British Columbia . Available online at https://circle.ubc.ca/handle/2429/43337 [Accessed 7 February 2013].Google Scholar
Dekker, P. and Halman, L. 2003. The Values of Volunteering: Cross Cultural Perspectives. Springer, New York.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Devasahayam, T. 2004. ‘Successful ageing for Singapore’? Financial (in)security of elderly persons. Asia-Pacific Population Journal, 19, 4, 25–54.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ebbinghaus, B. 2006. Reforming Early Retirement in Europe, Japan and the USA. Oxford University Press, Oxford.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Edwards, J. D., Ross, L. A., Ackerman, M. L., Small, B. J., Ball, K. K., Bradley, S. and Dodson, J. E. 2008. Longitudinal predictors of driving cessation among older adults from the ACTIVE trial. Journals of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 63B, 1, P6–12.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Eisenhandler, S. 1990. The asphalt identikit: old age and the driver's licence. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 30, 1, 1–14.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fields, A. and Cochran, S. 2011. Men and depression: current perspectives for health care professionals. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 5, 1, 92–100.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goh, C. 2009. More firms re-hiring older workers. The Straits Times, 11 July, p. A16.Google Scholar
Hermalin, A. and Chan, A. 2000. Work and Retirement Among the Older Population in Four Asian Countries. A Comparative Analysis. National University of Singapore, Singapore.Google Scholar
James, B., Boyle, P., Buchman, A., Barnes, L. and Bennett, D. 2011. Life space and risk of Alzheimer disease, mild cognitive impairment and cognitive decline in old age. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 19, 11, 961–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jonsson, H., Josephsson, S. and Kielhofner, G. 2001. Narratives and experience in an occupational transition: a longitudinal study of the retirement process. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 55, 4, 424–32.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kim, J., Kang, J., Lee, M. and Lee, J. 2007. Volunteering among older people in Korea. Journals of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 62B, 1, S69–73.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Land Transport Authority 2012. Age Limit for Taxi Drivers to Be Raised from 73 to 75 Years. Available online at http://app.lta.gov.sg [Accessed 7 February 2013].Google Scholar
Land Transport Authority 2013. Statutory Age Limit. Available online at http://ifaqs.flexanswer.com/CFP/Pages/Themes/LTA/Answer_internal_authorized.aspx?MesId=7903884&IntNotes=1&reAskpage=answer_int_authorized.aspx&RecordQuestion=yes [Accessed 30 August 2013].Google Scholar
Langdridge, D. 2007. A focus on the things themselves: descriptive phenomenology. In Phenomenological Psychology: Theory, Research and Method. Pearson Education, New York, 85–106.Google Scholar
Lee, W. K. M. 2003. Women and retirement planning: towards the ‘feminization of poverty’ in an aging Hong Kong. Journal of Women and Aging, 15, 1, 31–53.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liddle, J., McKenna, K. and Bartlett, H. 2007. Improving outcomes for older retired drivers: the UQDRIVE program. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 54, 4, 303–6.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liddle, J., Turpin, M., Carlson, G. and McKenna, K. 2008. The needs and experiences related to driving cessation for older people. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71, 9, 379–88.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lim, V. 2003. An empirical study of older workers’ attitudes towards the retirement experience. Employee Relations, 25, 4, 330–46.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lim, V. and Feldman, D. 2003. The impact of time structure and time usage on willingness to retire and accept bridge employment. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 14, 7, 1178–91.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Loretto, W., Vickerstaff, S. and White, P. 2007. Flexible work and older workers. In Loretto, W., Vickerstaff, S. and White, P. (eds), The Future for Older Workers: New Perspectives. The Policy Press, London, 139–60.Google Scholar
Marottoli, R., Mendes de Leon, C., Glass, T., Williams, C., Cooney, L. Jr and Berkman, L. 2000. Consequences of driving cessation: decreased out-of-home activity levels. Journal of Gerontology, 55B, 6, S334–40.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mehta, K. 1997 a. Respect redefined: focus group insights from Singapore. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 44, 3, 205–19.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mehta, K. 1997 b. Cultural scripts and the social integration of older people. Ageing & Society, 17, 3, 253–75.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mehta, K. 1999 a. Singaporean's perceptions and preparations for retirement: a cross-cultural inquiry. Ageing International, 25, 3, 31–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mehta, K. 1999 b. Intergenerational exchanges: qualitative evidence from Singapore. Southeast Asian Journal of Social Science, 27, 2, 111–22.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports. 2009. Adding Life to Years. Happy, Healthy, Active Seniors. Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, Singapore.Google Scholar
Ministry of Manpower, Singapore. 2013. Retirement and Re-employment Act. Available online at http://www.mom.gov.sg/employment-practices [Accessed 21 June 2013].Google Scholar
Mjelde-Mossey, L. and Chi, I. 2005. Gender differences in expectations predictive of volunteer experience among older Chinese professionals in Hong Kong. Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 13, 4, 47–64.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Neugarten, B. 1996. Retirement in the life course. In Neugarten, D. (ed.), The Meanings of Age: Selected Papers of Bernice L. Neugarten. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 221–30.Google Scholar
Ng, T., Broekman, B., Niti, M., Gwee, X. and Kua, E. 2009. Determinants of successful aging using a multidimensional definition among Chinese elderly in Singapore. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 17, 5, 407–16.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Niti, M., Yap, K., Kua, E., Tan, C. and Ng, T. 2008. Physical, social and productive leisure activities, cognitive decline and interaction with APOE-E4 genotype in Chinese older adults. International Psychogeriatrics, 20, 2, 237–51.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 2006. Live Longer, Work Longer. OECD, Paris.Google Scholar
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 2013. Employment rates by age group. In OECD Factbook 2013: Economic, Environmental and Societal Statistics. OECD Publishing. Available online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/factbook-2013-52-en [Accessed 15 October 2013].Google Scholar
Patton, M. 2002. Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods. Third edition, Sage, Thousand Oaks, California.Google Scholar
Pinquart, M. and Schindler, I. 2007. Changes of life satisfaction in the transition to retirement: a latent-class approach. Psychology and Aging, 22, 3, 442–55.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Qualitative Solutions and Research 2009. nVivo (Version 8) [computer software]. Qualitative Solutions and Research, Melbourne, Australia.Google Scholar
Reisman, D. 2009. Social Policy in an Ageing Society: Age and Health in Singapore. Edward Elgar, Cheltenham, UK.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schwingel, A., Niti, M., Tang, C. and Ng, T. 2009. Continued work employment and volunteerism and mental well-being of older adults: Singapore longitudinal ageing studies. Age and Ageing, 38, 5, 531–7.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Singapore Department of Statistics 2012. Population Trends. Singapore Department of Statistics, Singapore.Google Scholar
Singapore Medical Association 2011. Medical Guidelines on Fitness to Drive. Singapore Medical Association, Singapore.Google Scholar
Siren, A. and Hakamies-Blomqvist, L. 2009. Mobility and well being in old age. Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation, 25, 1, 3–11.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stalvey, B., Owsley, C., Sloane, M. and Ball, K. 1999. The life space questionnaire: a measure of the extent of mobility of older adults. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 18, 4, 460–78.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stav, W. 2008. Review of the evidence related to older adult community mobility and driver licensure policies. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 62, 2, 149–58.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sugihara, Y., Sugisawa, H., Shibata, H. and Harada, K. 2008. Productive roles, gender, and depressive symptoms: evidence from a National Longitudinal Study of late middle-aged Japanese. Journals of Gerontology, 63B, 4, P227–34.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tan, C. 2013. Surge in numbers seeking to drive taxis. The Straits Times, 31 January. Available online at http://www.stcars.sg/guides-articles/motoring-news/surge-in-numbers-seeking-to-drive-taxis/a/103166 [Accessed 31 August 2013].Google Scholar
Teddlie, C. and Tashakkori, A. 2009. Foundations of Mixed Method Research: Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches in the Social and Behavioural Sciences. Sage, Thousand Oaks, California.Google Scholar
Thang, L. 2005. Experiencing leisure in later life: a study of retirees and activity in Singapore. Journal of Cross Cultural Gerontology, 20, 5, 307–18.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
van Solinge, H. and Henkens, K. 2008. Adjustment to and satisfaction with retirement: two of a kind? Psychology and Aging, 23, 2, 422–34.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Verbrugge, L. and Chan, A. 2008. Giving help in return: family reciprocity by older Singaporeans. Ageing & Society, 28, 1, 5–34.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
von Wachter, T. 2012. The End of Mandatory Retirement in the U.S.: Effects on Retirement and Implicit Contracts. Columbia University. Available online at http://www.columbia.edu [Accessed 21 June 2013].Google Scholar
Wang, M. 2007. Profiling retirees in the retirement transition and adjustment process: examining the longitudinal change patterns of retirees’ psychological well-being. Journal of Applied Psychology, 92, 2, 455–74.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Westwood, R. and Lok, P. 2003. The meaning of work in Chinese contexts. A comparative study. International Journal of Cross Cultural Management, 3, 2, 139–65.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Whitehead, B., Howie, L. and Lovell, R. 2006. Older people's experience of driver licence cancellation: a phenomenological study. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 53, 3, 173–80.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Windsor, T. and Anstey, K. 2006. Interventions to reduce the adverse psychosocial impact of driving cessation on older adults. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 1, 3, 205–11.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wu, A., Tang, C. and Yan, E. 2005. Post retirement voluntary work and psychological functioning among older Chinese in Hong Kong. Journal of Cross Cultural Gerontology, 20, 1, 27–45.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ziegler, F. and Schwanen, T. 2011. ‘I like to go out to be energised by different people’: an exploratory analysis of mobility and wellbeing in later life. Ageing & Society, 31, 5, 758–81.CrossRefGoogle Scholar