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Correlational findings

Study Dingemans & Henkens (2014): study NL 2001

Public
50-64 aged, Netherlands, followed before and after retirement, 2001-2011
Survey name
NL-NIDI work and retirement panel
Sample
Respondents
N = 1248
Non Response
Assessment
Questionnaire: Paper & Pencil Interview (PAPI)

Correlate

Authors's Label
Life satisfaction
Our Classification
Remarks
Assessed at T1: 2001, T2: 2006/7, T3: 2011 Most participants retired in this 10 year period
Distribution
Pooled happiness in preretirement: M=3.67, SD=0.6
Pooled happiness in postretirement: M=3.71, SD=0.6
Operationalization
Shortened Diener's Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), last year format
Self report on 3 questions:
A  In most ways my life is close to ideal
B  So far, I have gotten the important things I want in life
C  The conditions of my life are excellent
Answers rated:
5  totally agree
:
1  totally disagree

Computation: (A+B+C)/3

Observed Relation with Happiness

Happiness Measure Statistics Elaboration / Remarks M-CO-u-mq-v-5-b b = +.42 p < .01 Postretirement CHANGE happiness by Preretirement LEVEL of happiness

b controled for:
Personal characteristics
- preretirement happiness(to capture change)
- time of retirement in survey wave
- age
- gender
- change of health problem
- perceived pension shortfall
Household composition
- partner status
- had children
Preretirement work context
- job satisfaction
- supervisor
- occupation level
- years of retirement
Retirement transition
- reasons for involuntariness
- bridge employment status
- bridge job in the past
- motives for bridge employemnt

The initially happiest became happier