Keys To Greater Happiness For Men During The Golden Years
April 3, 2006
A good marriage and an ability to play far outweigh financial security and
good health as keys to a satisfying retirement. These findings come from a
life-long survey of 265 men from inner-city Boston, reported in the April 2006
issue of The American Journal of Psychiatry (AJP), the official journal
of the American Psychiatric Association.
George E. Vaillant, M.D., senior psychiatrist at Brigham and Women's Hospital
and coauthors from Harvard Medical School present these results in “Natural
History of Male Psychological Health, XV: Retirement Satisfaction.” Now past
the age of 80, these largely working-class men retired at a mean age of 62
years, five years earlier than a more affluent comparison group of Harvard
College graduates.
Earlier in their lives, their socially disadvantaged upbringing and poor health
impacted heavily on their quality of life. Later in life, however, these factors
were not the primary determinants of their happiness. The longevity and
satisfaction of their marriages was the largest contributor. Their ability to
enjoy their children and to participate in hobbies and community activities,
which the authors term “play” because of its separation from financially
remunerative work, was also associated with their happiness. Continuation of
their primary employment from earlier in life into the age normally associated
with retirement did not result in happiness.
“Dr. Vaillant's careful observation of the determinants of human happiness has
added one more twist that should be thought-provoking to many men, who may not
see retirement as a new stage of life to be aspired to,” said Robert Freedman,
M.D., AJP editor-in-chief.
(Am J Psychiatry. 2006; 163: 682-688).
About the American Journal of Psychiatry
The American Journal of Psychiatry, the official journal of the American
Psychiatric Association, publishes a monthly issue with scientific articles
submitted by psychiatrists and other scientists worldwide. The peer review and
editing process is conducted independently of any other American Psychiatric
Association components. Therefore, statements in this press release or the
articles in the Journal are not official policy statements of the American
Psychiatric Association. The Journal's editorial policies conform to the Uniform
Requirements of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors, of which
it is a member.
For further information about the Journal visit http://www.ajp.psychiatryonline.org.
About the American Psychiatric Association
The American Psychiatric Association is a national medical specialty society
whose more than 36,000 physician members specialize in diagnosis, treatment,
prevention and research of mental illnesses including substance use disorders.
Visit the APA at http://www.psych.org
and http://www.healthyminds.org.