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“Why Not Think Carnegie Hall”? Working and Retiring among Older Professionals

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Joan E. Norris
Joan E. Norris
Affiliation:
University of Guelph
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Abstract

Gerontologists have regarded retirement as a negative event and seldom have investigated the successful retiree or older worker. This study provided descriptive data about both of these groups by triangulating quantitative and qualitative methods. Twenty-one retired and 30 employed professionals over the age of 60 were assessed for general levels of well-being and life satisfaction. They were then interviewed about the meaning and significance of their careers, and the strategies used to cope with job-related problems. Results showed both groups to be involved in meaningful social relationships, and well-adjusted and satisfied with their current lives. Differences between the groups emerged from the interviews: Employed professionals valued the prestige and challenge of a career; retirees mentioned supportive interpersonal relationships and the need to complete a job. Workers also mentioned delegating authority and establishing networks as valuable coping strategies. Some disciplinary differences were also noted within each group. These results underscore the usefulness of blending qualitative and quantitative data in research on work and retirement.

Résumé

En règle générale, les gérontologues ont toujours considéré la retraite sous un jour négatif et ne se sont que rarement penchés sur la réussite du retraité ou du travailleur âgé. La présente étude a permis de fournir des données descriptives sur ces deux groupes en triangulant des méthodes quantitatives et qualitatives. Vingt et un professionnels retraités et trente professionnels âgés de plus de 60 ans toujours sur le marché du travail ont été évalués selon leur bien-être général et leur satisfaction face à leur vie personnelle. Ces personnes ont ensuite été questionnées sur le sens et l'importance de leur carrière, ainsi que sur les stratégies utilisées pour surmonter les difficultés liées à leur travail. Les résultats ont démontré que les deux groupes entretenaient des relations sociales significatives, qu'ils étaient bien adaptés et qu'ils étaient satisfaits de leur vie actuelle. Des différences entre les groupes se sont toutefois révélées au cours des entrevues: les professionnels encore sur le marché du travail accordaient de l'importance au prestige et au défi que leur procurait leur carrière; les retraités, quant à eux, signalaient l'importance des relations inter-personnelles de soutien et le besoin de terminer un travail. Par ailleurs, les travailleurs ont aussi affirmé que la délégation des responsabilités et l'établissement de réseaux constituaient des stratégies efficaces pour surmonter les difficultés liées à leur travail. D'autre part, des différences disciplinaires ont aussi été notées au sein de chaque groupe. Tous ces résultats soulignent l'utilité de combiner données qualitatives et données quantitatives dans la recherche sur le travail et la retraite.

Keywords

WorkRetirementQualitative ResearchTriangulationOlder Professionals.Travailretraiterecherche qualitativetriangulationprofessionnels âgés.
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 12 , Issue 2: Qualitative Methods/Les méthodes qualitatives , Été/Summer 1993 , pp. 182 - 199
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1993

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