Gender disparity regarding the impact of retirement on marital satisfaction: Evidence from a longitudinal study of older Korean adults

In Cheol Hwang, Hong Yup Ahn, Yujin Park

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the impact of retirement on marital satisfaction by gender on Koreans aged >45 years in a large, nationally representative cohort. Methods: Retirement status and marital satisfaction data of 5867 individuals were analysed. Marital dissatisfaction was defined as a satisfaction score reduction of more than 10 points versus the previous wave. Lagged generalised estimating equation (GEE) models adjusted for demographics (age, sex, education level and household income), health-related habits (smoking and drinking status) and comorbidities (obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and depression and frailty) were used to confirm the relationship between retirement and marital dissatisfaction. Results: The final GEE model adjusted for covariates revealed sex-specific differences in marital satisfaction after retirement. Whereas male retirees reported higher satisfaction than non-retired men, female retiree responses revealed lower satisfaction than non-retired women. Furthermore, these trends were consistent regardless of the time elapsed after retirement. Conclusions: Marital satisfaction should be screened in women during the transition to retirement.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere13373
JournalAustralasian Journal on Ageing
Volume44
Issue number1
DOIs
StateAccepted/In press - 2024

Keywords

  • marriage
  • personal satisfaction
  • retirement
  • spouses

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