Value-directed living as a predictor of wellbeing in older adults
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Value-directed living in older adults as a predictor of wellbeing, distress and adjustment to retirement.
IRAS ID
243909
Contact name
Frances Stuart
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 4 days
Research summary
Retirement is an important life event that marks the transition from one life stage to another. Although many see retirement as a positive life event, up to one third of retirees find the transition to be stressful or experience a decline in wellbeing after retirement.
Little is known about the psychological factors that may influence how well retirees adjust to this life change. One possibility is that how in touch we are with our personal values influences wellbeing in retirement. According to the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) model, living in accordance with our values improves wellbeing and reduces distress. Currently however, there is no research looking at whether the ACT model could be of help to those who are experiencing lower wellbeing after retirement.
It is anticipated that by investigating the relationship between these factors, we will learn more about whether ACT could be useful for retirees. Future treatments could then be developed and made available to people who are due to retiree, or who are experiencing difficulty in adjusting to retirement.
This study aims to use a questionnaire to find out whether there is an association between values and wellbeing in people who have retired. Potential participants would be recruited from a range of settings; posters and flyers would be displayed at community, council and health facilities such as libraries, GP waiting rooms and day care settings. For those attending groups or services, e.g. a social cafe, a member of staff may also share information about the study with members, e.g. though newsletters and meetings. Taking part is optional, takes approximately 30 minutes, and no personal information will be collected. Anyone aged 60 a over who has retired is eligible to take part, as long as they can understand English and are able to give consent.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/EE/0292
Date of REC Opinion
9 Oct 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion