Retirement and the sense of control in young-old adults: The mediating role of engagement in goal-directed activities

This article describes an investigation of the relationships between employment status, engagement in activities, and the sense of control in a population-based sample of 2,551 Australian males and females aged 60 to 64. Through taking part in a structured interview, participants provided information on their employment status, socio-demographic characteristics, health, control beliefs and engagement in different domains of activity. Results indicated that full-time employees reported higher control beliefs relative to retirees, those working at home and part-time employees, in unadjusted analyses. Statistical adjustment for the effects of sociodemographic characteristics, health and activity engagement resulted in the difference in control beliefs of retirees and full-time workers becoming non-significant. Financial problems, mental health, and engagement in different domains of goal-directed activity were identified as significant mediators of the relationship between retirement status and control. Implications of the findings for wellbeing in later life are discussed.