RETIREMENT NEEDS AND PREPARATION OF RURAL MIDDLE-AGED PERSONS

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RETIREMENT NEEDS AND PREPARATION OF RURALMIDDLE-AGED PERSONS

J. Conrad Glass, Jr.

Diana K. Flynn

Department of Adult and Community College Education,

North Carolina State University,

Raleigh, North Carolina, USA

Review of preretirement and retirement literature suggests that attention is placed

on similarities of rural and urban persons in their retirement needs and concerns.

The existing literature shows a lack of data on perceptions of future retirement

needs and retirement actions implemented by rural middle-aged persons (45–64

years old). This study, conducted in three rural counties, had as its purpose to

identify the following : (a) issues important in retirement for rural middle-aged

persons ; (b) preparation plans being made by rural middle-aged persons ; (c) rural

middle-aged persons’ perceptions of future needs regarding certain aspects of

retirement ; and (d) relationship of issues, plans, and perceptions to selected demo-

graphic variables. A number of relationships were found between issues identiüed

as ‘‘Important to Me’’ and items labeled ‘‘Actions I Have Taken.’’ Study conclu-

sions have implications for those concerned with preretirement education.

Approximately 34 million persons in the United States are 65 years of

age or older. This ügure represents 12.7% of the total population(American Association of Retired Persons, 1998). According to the

U.S. Bureau of the Census (1992), 23.6% of the older population live

in rural areas. As we all have been warned, when the baby boomers

hit retirement age, these numbers will mushroom. Projections indi-

cate that by 2030 the number of persons 65-plus will rise to approx-imately 70 million, making up 20% of the total U.S. population.

Address correspondence to Dr. J. Conrad Glass, Jr., 310 Poe Hall, Box 7801, North

Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7801 , USA. E-mail :

CONRAD–[email protected]

109

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110 J. C. Glass and D. K. Flynn

The decline in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, and energy in

the 1980s corresponded directly to producing nationwide rural eco-

nomic distress and decline. The modernization of agriculture resulted

in a decrease in the number of people directly involved with its

process. Beale (1990) stated :

Both from local necessity and through changes that fostered decentral-

ization out of the cities, the rural economy has been diversiüed (and

thus urbanized) to the point that more rural people are engaged in

manufacturing, in trade, and in services individually than in agricul-

ture. (p. 15)

In the 1990s, the development of international communication,

transportation, free trade, and investments moved the United States

toward a global economy. As the economies of rural states increase in

global markets, the impact on the economic well-being of rural com-munities and regions will increase. Once thought of as predominantly

farms and forests, rural AmericaÄs pursuits are being intertwined and

directed toward more global undertakings. Both agriculture and

manufacturing (traditional mainstays of some rural states) are facing

economic uncertainties (North Carolina Rural Proüle, 1992).Today, much attention is being paid to the similarities of rural and

urban areas. To say that rural and urban areas are similar or to imply

that their diþerences have disappeared or are not important would be

misleading.

People readily oþer convictions about preferred community size and

list the virtues or disadvantages that they associate with rural or small-

town life versus city or suburban life. Most of them regard rural areas

as superior in such attributes as desirability for rearing children,

friendliness of people, personal safety, lower levels of stress, pollution,

and living costs, but inferior in availability of services and economic

opportunity. (Beale, 1990, p. 9)

Many aspects of rural life are viewed nostalgically, with images ofsocial harmony and old-fashioned virtues as the pillars of community

life. However, rural retirement is more than an individual retiring in

a rural setting. Such beneüts as fresh air and sunshine ; a leisurely

lifestyle ; lack of congestion; and friends, neighbors, and acquaint-

ances can be oþset by unfavorable features such as (a) transportationdifficulties due to poor roads, lack of public transportation, main-

tenance of private cars, or reliance on others ; (b) inadequate medical

facilities and communities without doctors ; and (c) low income levels

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Retirement Needs of Rural Persons 111

leading to a lower standard of living. Recent research indicates that

lower Social Security payments for farmers (particularly farm wives),

lower employment rates, lower savings, and fewer rural people

covered by private pension plans as a result of primary employment

in agriculture and/or self-employment have contributed to a lowerstandard of living in rural areas (Barrow, 1996; Butler, Lewis, &

Sunderland, 1991; Glasgow, 1993).

According to Butler et al. (1991, p. 25), ÃÃthere is a shrinking tax

base and an increasing scarcity of services and loss of family

members caused by the migration of young people to cities in searchof work.ÄÄ This lack, coupled with a shortage of paying jobs, hold

older people back from supplementing their incomes. At present,

ÃÃalthough nearly 40% of all older people live in nonurban areas, most

federal programs primarily address the needs of urban older personsÄÄ(Butler et al., 1991, p. 26).

In a review of more national and global trends, Pigg (1991, p. F-1)

stated that rural residents, when compared to urban residents, face

an array of problems : ÃÃThe fortunes of rural America are inextricably

tied to national and global socioeconomic trends. . . . The fact

remains that some policy makers approach rural problems as artifactsof the past, a past which no longer seems relevant to current social

and economic forces.ÄÄ He continued by stating that the federal gov-

ernment has poured billions of dollars into rural development, rep-

resented by the interstate highway system, only to conclude that the

beneüts seem illusory. ÃÃNot only are the traditionally poor still poor,but we are suddenly sensitive to a Ãnew rural poorÄ represented by

farm families displaced by rapid deýation and technological change.

The forces certain to change the nature of agriculture over the next

several decades have unknown human ramiücationsÄÄ (Pigg, 1991,

p. 1).Just because todayÄs rural elderly face many problems in retire-

ment does not necessarily mean that todayÄs rural middle-aged

persons will face them when they retire. However, according to Krout

(1994, p. 117), ÃÃassistance in planning for retirement may be particu-

larly important for rural elders because of their relatively lowerincomes and the relatively higher incidence of self-employment in

rural areas (11%) compared with urban areas (5%).ÄÄ The rural self-

employed do not have the advantages of pension or retirement plan-

ning from employer-sponsored programs. KroutÄs (1994) study

indicated that only a small minority (3%) of rural persons attendedany kind of preretirement classes, seminars, or counseling sessions.

He attributed this small percentage to the lower availability and

accessibility of retirement planning in rural areas. ÃÃGenerally, rural

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areas have fewer organizational resources to oþer such activities

than do urban areasÄÄ (Krout, 1994, p. 118).

If these conditions are in fact true, then the need for rural middle-

aged persons to keep abreast of new knowledge and to develop eþec-

tive and efficient skills for retirement is both a challenge and anecessity. TodayÄs retirement decisions are much more complex than

previously. To maintain the rural standard of living that is important

to so many, continued eþorts to understand rural conditions and plan

ahead for later life are extremely important. Vision, strategic think-

ing, and planning are indispensable tools crucial for the rural indi-vidual planning for retirement by 2020 (Walsh, 1991).

Generating information and data that can assist rural people in

ünances, well-being, health, housing, and family can oþer power or

enable individuals to enter retirement better prepared. Unfor-

tunately, a search of the existing literature indicated a lack of suffi-cient data in the area of attitudes toward preretirement planning,

important issues in retirement, and future needs in retirement of

rural middle-aged persons. Given this, this study was carried out in

the hope of adding some information to the body of research available

in this üeld.The following research questions guided this study :

are the perceptions of rural middle-aged persons towardd What

selected aspects of retirement?

kind of preparations are rural middle-aged persons makingd Whattoward retirement?

kind of preparations are rural middle-aged persons perceivingd What

they will have ready for retirement?

relationship is there between areas of retirement (Set 1—d What

ÃÃImportant to MeÄÄ) and certain selected demographic, family, eco-nomic, and present factors of rural middle-aged persons?

relationship is there between areas of retirement (Set 2—d What

ÃÃActions I Have TakenÄÄ) and certain selected demographic, family,

economic, and present factors of rural middle-aged persons?

METHOD

Population and Sample

The target population was middle-aged (45–64 years old) rural North

Carolina citizens who were participating members of the North

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Carolina Extension Homemakers Association. The sample of North

Carolina Extension Homemakers focused on rural areas across

North Carolina with a population of 2,500 or less. To obtain a

representative sample within this population, a simple random

sample was extracted. A directory of North Carolina ExtensionHomemakers was used as the sample frame, with a study sample of

100 randomly selected. A total of 200 surveys were mailed to the ran-

domly selected homemakers. Each homemaker was requested to

obtain a completed survey from a rural North Carolina male between

the ages of 45 and 64 in addition to ülling out a questionnaire herself.There was no way of discerning whether the respondents were

married to each other.

A total of 21 survey packets were returned uncompleted (2 surveys

per packet) because participants were deceased or over the age of 64,

resulting in a total sample of 158. A total of 66 completed question-naires were received. All 66 questionnaires were used in the

statistical analyses.

Data Collection

To obtain the highest rate of return, a personalized and individually

signed cover letter, two questionnaires, and a stamped return

envelope were enclosed in each packet. In the cover letter, the

purpose of the study and assurance of respondentsÄ anonymity were

given. Two weeks after the initial mailing, a reminder card was sentto all respondents.

Instrumentation

The survey questionnaire used in this study was formulated from pre-viously developed measures of attitudes associated with preretire-

ment and retirement. The instrument was patterned after those of

Osgood, Suci, & Tannenbaum (1957) and Bostrom (1983). The nine-

page questionnaire contained 136 questions. The surveys were given

to a panel of four experts. As a result of their feedback, some changeswere made. A pilot study of the instrument was then conducted with

eight rural middle-aged persons. The ündings of the pilot test were

used to revise the instruction segment for better clarity and to make

minor modiücations in the wording of the questions.

The ürst 59 questions actually were double questions. The ürst setof answers dealt with obtaining information labeled ÃÃImportant to

Me,ÄÄ and the second set of answers dealt with obtaining information

identiüed as ÃÃActions I Have Taken.ÄÄ The ürst set used a 5-point

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Likert scale 1 5 very important to 5 5 not important. The ÃÃActions I

Have TakenÄÄ set used a 4-point scale (1 5 have a deünite plan,

2 5 taken ürst steps, 3 5 thought about it a lot, and 4 5 have not

started). The 59 questions addressed six variables : (a) retirement

activities, (b) ünancial support in retirement, (c) physical health inretirement, (d) well-being in retirement, (e) housing in retirement,

and (f ) family factors in retirement.

The remaining questions were concerned with obtaining informa-

tion regarding the following independent variables : age, gender, race,

present health, education, marital status, size of family, childrenpresent in the home during retirement, role of children in retirement,

proximity to retirement, home ownership, type of dwelling, present

income, participation in preretirement programs, participation in

formal ünancial planning, concrete retirement plans, and hobbies.

Data Analysis

Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, mean, percentage, and

frequency distribution. Other statistics used in this study included

the Pearson product–moment correlation and t– and F–testing.Descriptive statistics were used to describe the characteristics of the

respondents. PearsonÄs product–moment correlation was used to

determine the relationship between respondentsÄ attitudes regarding

the identiüed sets ÃÃImportant to MeÄÄ and ÃÃActions I Have Taken.ÄÄAdditionally, t–tests for single-answered questions and F–tests (formultiple-answered questions) were used to determine the diþerence

between respondentsÄ attitudes regarding importance and the inde-

pendent variables of age, gender, race, present health, education,

marital status, size of family, children present in the home during

retirement, role of children in retirement, proximity to retirement,home ownership, type of dwelling, present income, adequacy of

income, previous preretirement planning, previous ünancial plan-

ning, retirement plans, and hobbies. Also t–tests and F–tests were

used to determine the diþerences between actions taken and the

above-mentioned independent variables. The .05 level of signiücancewas used for all statistical tests.

RESULTS

Table 1 shows the proüle of respondents in terms of the various inde-

pendent variables used in the study. Respondents ranged in age from45 to 64, with a mean age of 56. Thirty-six (54.5%) were women; most

of the respondents were White (84.9%) ; and most were married

(84.8%). Nearly 85% saw their health as being good to excellent.

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TABLE 1 Frequency Distribution of Respondents by

Demographic, Family, Economic, and Present Factors

Characteristic Frequency %

Age

45–49 13 19.7

50–54 14 21.2

55–59 16 24.3

60–64 23 34.8

Total 66 100.0

M 5 56.1

Gender

Male 30 45.5

Female 36 54.5

Total 66 100.0

Race

African American 9 13.6

White 56 84.9

Other 1 1.5

Total 66 100.0

Present health

Excellent 23 34.9

Good 33 50.0

Fair 9 13.6

Poor 1 1.5

Total 66 100.0

Education

Eighth grade or less 0 0

Some high school 4 6.1

High school graduate 13 19.7

Some college 18 27.3

Associate (2-year) degree 4 6.1

College graduate 13 19.7

Graduate degree 11 16.7

Professional training 3 4.4

Total 66 100.0

Marital status

Married 56 84.8

Widowed 3 4.5

Single 2 3.0

Divorced 5 7.7

Total 66 100.0

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TABLE 1 Continued


Family size

0 39 59.1

1 17 25.7

2 10 15.2

Total 66 100.0

Children present in home during retirement

Yes 5 7.6

No 61 92.4

Total 66 100.0

Role of children in retirement

Very much 10 15.4

Somewhat 15 23.1

Not at all 40 61.5

Total 65 100.0

Proximity to retirement

5 years or less 34 51.2

6–10 years 16 24.3

11–15 years 9 13.8

16–20 years 7 10.7

Total 66 100.0

Home ownership

Own 62 95.4

Rent 3 4.6

Total 65 100.0

Type of dwelling

Single-family house 63 95.5

Mobile home 2 3.0

Duplex 1 1.5

Total 66 100.0

Adequacy of present income

Adequate 49 75.4

Not enough to make ends meet 7 10.8

More than enough to make ends meet 9 13.8

Total 65 100.0

Almost three–fourths (74.2%) had some academic work beyond high

school. A little more than half (51.2%) were 5 years or less from

retirement, and 75.5% were 10 years or less from retirement.

Ninety-üve percent owned their own homes and lived in a single-family dwelling. Three–fourths thought their present income was ade-

quate, and 63.5% had annual incomes above $30,000. About 70% had

not participated in a formal retirement program, and just over 50%

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TABLE 1 Continued


Present income ($)

# 9,999 3 4.8

10,000–19,999 8 12.7

20,000–29,999 12 19.0

30,000–39,999 10 15.9

40,000–49,999 6 9.5

50,000–59,999 6 9.5

60,000–69,999 8 12.7

$ 70,000 10 15.9

Total 63 100.0

M 5 42,143

Participated in formal preretirement program

Yes 20 30.3

No 46 69.7

Total 66 100.0

Participated in formal ünancial program

Yes 32 48.5

No 34 51.5

Total 66 100.0

Started retirement plans

Yes 49 74.2

No 17 25.8

Total 66 100.0

Have hobby

Yes 59 90.8

No 6 9.2

Total 65 100.0

had not attended a formal ünancial program, but 74.2% had started

retirement plans.

Important Issues in Retirement

Twenty-eight issues were identiüed by over 50% of respondents as

ÃÃimportant to meÄÄ (Table 2). Nine of those issues were in the ÃÃFinan-cial ActivitiesÄÄ category and six were in the ÃÃWell-BeingÄÄ category.

Nine issues were seen as ÃÃnot importantÄÄ by over 50%. Five were in

the ÃÃHousingÄÄ category. The fact that 95% of respondents owned

their homes probably explains why housing was not an important

issue—respondents planned to stay in their current homes on retire-ment. Three of the ÃÃnot importantÄÄ issues were in the ÃÃRetirement

ActivitiesÄÄ category. Evidently, at the time of the study, respondents

did not believe they would pursue a second career or continue their

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TABLE 2 Frequency (Freq.) Distribution and Percentage (%) Scale of

ÃÃImportant to MeÄÄ Questions

Somewhat NotImportant important important

Question Freq. % Freq. % Freq. %

Retirement activities1. Full-time employment 26 39.4 17 25.8 23 34.82. Part-time employment 27 41.5 24 36.9 14 21.63. Share experiences 36 54.5* 16 24.2 14 21.34. Second career 14 21.2 13 19.7 39 59.1*5. Continue education 13 20.9 11 16.9 41 63.1*6. Plan activities 34 41.5 17 25.8 15 32.77. Develop a hobby 41 62.1* 15 22.7 10 15.28. Travel 31 47.0 13 19.7 22 33.39. Availability of products 21 31.9 20 30.3 25 37.8

10. Community facilities 27 41.6 23 35.4 15 23.011. Joined church, club, etc. 49 74.3* 10 15.2 7 10.512. Public transportation 14 21.5 10 15.4 41 63.1*13. Rural information on 17 25.8 20 30.3 29 43.9

activities

Financial activities14. Social Security beneüts 50 75.8* 6 9.1 10 15.115. Money required 50 75.7* 11 16.7 5 7.616. Started savings, etc. 48 72.7* 9 13.6 9 13.717. Financial retirement 44 66.7* 12 18.2 10 15.1

plan18. Legal issues 29 44.0 20 30.3 17 25.719. Will 56 84.8* 6 9.1 4 6.120. Living will 42 67.8* 8 12.9 12 19.321. Life insurance/family 46 70.8* 10 15.4 9 13.822. Beneüciaries 54 81.8* 5 7.6 7 10.623. Executor of estate 48 72.7* 9 13.6 9 13.724. Area economic growth 22 33.4 26 39.4 18 27.225. Cost of living 31 47.0 21 31.8 14 21.226. Area economic 20 30.8 27 41.5 18 27.7

opportunities27. Rural information on 19 28.8 20 30.3 27 40.9

ünances

Physical health28. Regular physical 41 62.1* 16 24.2 9 13.7

exercise29. Nutrition and diet 52 80.0* 10 15.4 3 4.630. Health evaluated by 57 86.3* 6 9.1 3 4.6

physician31. Additional health 49 74.3* 7 10.6 10 15.1

insurance32. Rural safety 27 40.9 20 30.3 19 28.833. Rural pollution 24 36.4 19 28.8 23 34.834. Rural information on 24 36.9 27 41.5 14 21.6

health

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TABLE 2 Continued

Somewhat Not

Important important important

Question Freq. % Freq. % Freq. %

Well-Being

35. Spend time in retirement 46 70.8* 9 13.8 10 15.4

36. Adjust to physical changes 39 60.0* 23 35.4 3 4.6

37. Adjust to aging 45 69.2* 14 21.5 6 9.3

38. Estimate retirement best years 31 47.7 21 32.3 13 20.0

39. Retirement goals 40 61.6* 18 27.7 7 10.7

40. Accomplish goals 37 56.0* 18 27.3 11 16.7

41. Preretirement program 20 30.8 18 27.7 27 41.5

42. Community involvement 46 69.7* 7 10.6 13 19.7

43. Community/political issues 32 48.5 16 24.2 18 27.3

44. Rural industry 20 30.3 20 30.3 25 39.4

45. Rural living 50 75.8* 11 16.7 5 7.5

46. Rural information on 25 37.9 26 39.4 15 22.7

well-being

Housing

47. Live in present home 47 71.2* 11 16.7 8 12.1

48. Make repairs 41 62.1* 12 18.2 13 19.7

49. Retirement village 10 15.4 16 24.6 39 60.0*50. Continuing care facilities 11 21.9 17 26.6 36 51.5*51. Move out of rural 10 15.2 10 15.2 46 69.6*

area

52. Live with children 10 15.6 54 84.4*53. Rural information on 7 11.0 20 31.3 37 57.7*

housing

Family

54. Activities with spouse 41 64.1* 11 17.2 12 18.7

55. Activities with children 44 67.7* 10 15.4 11 16.9

56. Activities with siblings 25 39.1 24 37.5 15 23.4

57. Activities with parents 18 30.5 11 18.6 30 50.9*58. Activities with friends 38 58.5* 16 24.6 11 16.9

59. Rural information on 16 24.6 22 33.8 27 41.6

families

* 5 50% or higher

education. Nor did they see public transportation to be a concern.

This latter matter may not be an issue because they foresaw that they

would be driving. Another explanation could be that public transpor-tation was not available in their rural area ; therefore, its absence

made it nonimportant to 63%.

Retirement Actions Taken by Respondents

Respondents were asked what actions they had taken regarding the

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TABLE 3 Frequency (Freq.) Distribution and Percentage Scale of ÃÃActions

I Have TakenÄÄ Questions

Deünite First Thought Not

plan steps about it started

Question Freq. % Freq. % Freq. % Freq. %

Retirement activities

1. Full-time employment 20 30.8 9 13.8 18 27.7 18 27.7

2. Part-time employment 13 19.7 11 16.7 24 36.3 18 27.3

3. Share experiences 16 24.2 9 13.6 24 36.4 17 25.8

4. Second career 6 9.1 5 7.6 15 22.7 40 60.6*5. Continue education 8 12.5 2 3.1 13 20.3 41 64.1*6. Plan activities 17 25.7 11 16.7 18 27.3 20 30.3

7. Develop a hobby 30 45.5 16 24.2 12 18.2 8 12.1

8. Travel 19 28.8 11 16.7 15 22.7 21 31.8

9. Availability of products 8 12.1 8 12.1 21 31.9 29 43.9

10. Community facilities 9 13.6 7 10.6 23 34.9 27 40.9

11. Joined church, club, etc. 32 48.5 12 18.1 11 16.7 11 16.7

12. Public transportation 4 6.2 2 3.1 16 24.6 43 66.1*13. Rural information on 8 12.1 9 13.7 15 22.7 34 51.5*

activities

Financial activities

14. Social Security beneüts 19 28.8 13 19.7 20 30.3 14 21.2

15. Money required 21 31.8 18 27.3 17 25.8 10 15.1

16. Started savings, etc. 35 53.0* 10 15.2 11 16.7 10 15.1

17. Financial retirement 20 30.3 18 27.3 17 25.7 11 16.7

plan

18. Legal issues 7 10.6 13 19.7 15 22.7 31 47.0

19. Will 32 48.5 9 13.6 10 15.2 15 22.7

20. Living will 25 40.3 6 9.7 11 17.7 20 32.3

21. Life insurance/family 30 45.5 17 25.7 7 10.6 12 18.2

22. Beneüciaries 39 59.1* 11 16.7 4 6.0 12 18.2

23. Executor of estate 35 53.0* 6 9.1 9 13.7 16 24.2

24. Area of economic 5 7.6 9 13.6 18 27.3 34 51.5*growth

25. Cost of living 8 12.1 8 12.1 24 36.4 26 39.4

26. Area of economic 3 4.5 4 6.1 28 42.4 31 47.0

opportunities

27. Rural information on 9 13.7 1 1.5 22 33.3 34 51.5*ünance

Physical health

28. Regular physical 13 19.7 28 42.4 13 19.7 12 18.2

exercise

29. Nutrition and diet 24 36.4 24 36.4 14 21.2 4 6.0

30. Health evaluation by 35 53.0* 20 30.3 7 10.6 4 6.1

physician

31. Additional health 22 33.8 15 23.1 20 30.8 8 12.3

insurance

32. Rural safety 9 13.6 6 9.1 27 40.9 24 36.4

33. Rural pollution 8 12.1 6 9.1 17 25.8 35 53.0*34. Rural information on 7 10.8 7 10.8 23 35.3 28 43.1

health

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TABLE 3 Continued

Deünite First Thought Not

plan steps about it started

Question Freq. % Freq. % Freq. % Freq. %

Well-Being

35. Spend time in 25 38.5 13 20.0 19 29.2 8 12.3

retirement

36. Adjust to physical 10 15.4 16 24.6 25 38.5 14 21.5

changes

37. Adjust to aging 11 16.9 16 24.6 28 43.1 10 15.4

38. Estimate retirement 13 20.9 11 16.9 22 33.9 19 29.2

best years

39. Retirement goals 15 23.1 15 23.1 26 40.9 9 13.8

40. Accomplish goals 15 22.7 21 31.8 18 27.3 12 18.2

41. Preretirement 11 16.7 7 10.6 17 25.7 31 47.0

program

42. Community 24 36.3 10 15.2 20 30.3 12 18.2

involvement

43. Community/political 12 18.2 10 15.2 21 31.8 23 34.8

issues

44. Rural industry 7 10.6 4 6.1 26 39.4 29 43.9

45. Rural living 30 46.1 10 15.4 21 32.3 4 6.2

46. Rural information on 9 13.6 4 6.1 32 48.5 21 31.8

well-being

Housing

47. Live in present home 36 54.6* 8 12.1 15 22.7 7 10.6

48. Make repairs 17 26.2 18 27.7 16 24.6 14 21.5

49. Retirement village 4 6.2 16 24.6 45 69.2*50. Continuing care 2 3.1 1 1.6 21 32.8 40 62.5*

facilities

51. Move out of rural area 7 10.9 12 18.8 45 70.3*52. Live with children 3 4.6 5 7.7 56 86.2* 1 1.5

53. Rural information on 3 4.9 2 3.2 16 25.8 41 66.1*housing

Family

54. Activities with spouse 16 25.0 17 26.6 18 28.1 13 20.3

55. Activities with children 11 16.9 15 23.1 27 41.5 12 18.5

56. Activities with siblings 9 14.1 13 20.3 24 37.5 18 28.1

57. Activities with parents 8 13.8 4 6.9 16 27.6 30 51.7*58. Activities with friends 20 30.7 13 20.9 17 26.2 15 23.1

59. Rural information on 7 10.9 5 7.8 19 29.7 33 53.6*families

* 5 50% or higher

retirement issues. They had four choices of answers : deünite plan,

ürst steps, thought about it, and not started. Deünite plans were made

by 50% or more of the respondents for only 5 issues (Table 3). Threeof those issues were ünance-related (started savings, checked who

will be beneüciaries, and determined who will be executor of estate),

and one each were in the ÃÃHealthÄÄ and ÃÃHousingÄÄ categories. Over

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50% had established their health status with a physician. As alluded

to earlier, the majority (54.6%) had deünite plans to live in their

present homes.

Thirteen issues were identiüed by 50% or more as being not

started. Four were in ÃÃRetirement Activities,ÄÄ and four were inÃÃHousing.ÄÄ Three of the issues in ÃÃRetirement ActivitiesÄÄ were iden-

tiüed earlier as not considered important by respondents (Table 2) :

second career, continue my education, and public transportation.

Three of the issues under ÃÃHousingÄÄ agree with the earlier report

that the future retirees planned to live in their own homes ; that is,over 50% had not started any plans related to retirement village, con-

tinuing care facilities , or moving out of rural area. The fourth issue

in ÃÃHousing,ÄÄ rural information on housing, pertained to respondents

not collecting any rural information on housing.

Relationship Between Responses of ``Important to Me’’and ``Actions I Have Taken’’

Comparison of participantsÄ responses of ÃÃImportant to MeÄÄ andÃÃActions I Have TakenÄÄ (Tables 2 and 3) revealed that there were six

issues that 50% or more respondents said were important, yet 50% or

more reported that, thus far, they had not taken any action toward

dealing with them. These issues were (a) share experiences gained

through life with others after retirement (Question 3), (b) learn howSocial Security beneüts will aþect retirement plans (Question 14), (c)

learn ways to adjust to physical changes and the aging process

(Question 36 and 37), (d) estimate that the best years of life are in

retirement (Question 38), (e) and plan ways to spend time with child-

ren when retire (Question 55). Even though these areas were con-sidered important to the respondents, the majority had not taken any

actions.

Pearson product–moment correlations were calculated between

ÃÃImportant to MeÄÄ and ÃÃActions I Have TakenÄÄ for each question

(Table 4). There were signiücant correlations for all the questionsexcept one : Question 52, which had to do with living with oneÄs child-

ren after retirement. Perhaps there was no relationship between

importance and taking action to do so because most respondents did

not want to live with their children or were reluctant to do so only if

the situation were such that they could no longer care for themselves.The Pearson product–moment correlation also was used to deter-

mine the linear relationship of ÃÃImportant to MeÄÄ and ÃÃActions I

Have TakenÄÄ in each area (ÃÃRetirement Activities,ÄÄ ÃÃFinancial

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TABLE 4 Pearson Product–Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) of

ÃÃImportant to MeÄÄ and ÃÃActions I Have TakenÄÄ by Question

Question r p Question r p

Retirement activities Well-Being

1 .38823 .0014 35 .63012 .0001

2 .25752 .0384 36 .44113 .0002

3 .51562 .0001 37 .44239 .0002

4 .64614 .0001 38 .64309 .0001

5 .68570 .0001 39 .53598 .0001

6 .76791 .0001 40 .61359 .0001

7 .65250 .0001 41 .74355 .0001

8 .86811 .0001 42 .70027 .0001

9 .59898 .0001 43 .63502 .0001

10 .69602 .0001 44 .59607 .0001

11 .60835 .0001 45 .64320 .0001

12 .42242 .0001 46 .62609 .0001

13 .55390 .0001

Financial activities Housing

14 .30239 .0136 47 .67634 .0001

15 .31307 .0105 48 .69945 .0001

16 .68310 .0001 49 .42163 .0005

17 .68435 .0001 50 .38981 .0015

18 .56467 .0001 51 .62999 .0001

19 .34089 .0051 52 .00000 .9464

20 .76914 .0001 53 .40419 .0011

21 .61593 .0001

22 .66687 .0001

23 .69326 .0001

24 .53265 .0001

25 .58483 .0001

26 .26794 .0296

27 .58195 .0001

Health Family

28 .57838 .0001 54 .58147 .0001

29 .45264 .0002 55 .52452 .0001

30 .58649 .0001 56 .52604 .0001

31 .41778 .0005 57 .84351 .0001

32 .52665 .0001 58 .78020 .0001

33 .62870 .0001 59 .51343 .0001

34 .53678 .0001

Values signiücant at p , .05.

Activities,ÄÄ ÃÃPhysical Health,ÄÄ ÃÃWell-Being,ÄÄ ÃÃHousing,ÄÄ and

ÃÃFamilyÄÄ). The results showed a relationship between ÃÃImportant toMeÄÄ and ÃÃActions I Have TakenÄÄ in all areas (Table 5). This seems to

indicate that for these areas, if respondents felt the issues were

important, they had, to a signiücant degree, taken actions.

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TABLE 5 Pearson Product–Moment

Correlation Coefficient (r) of

ÃÃImportant to MeÄÄ and ÃÃActions I

Have TakenÄÄ by Area

Area r p

Retirement activities .68305 .0001

Financial activities .38928 .0012

Health .47496 .0001

Well-Being .56334 .0001

Housing .40675 .0007

Family .57144 .0001

Values are signiücant at p , .05.

Relationships Between Areas of Retirement and SelectedDemographic, Family, Economic, and Present Factors

A number of statistical analyses were done to determine if there were

any relationships between areas of retirement (ÃÃImportant to MeÄÄand ÃÃActions I Have TakenÄÄ) and various variables. The results are

reported here without tables because of space concerns.No signiücant diþerences were found between respondentsÄ atti-

tudes surrounding the issues of retirement regarding ÃÃImportant to

MeÄÄ and the demographic variables of gender, age, race, present

health, and education.

Signiücance was found between levels of ÃÃImportant to MeÄÄ andspeciüc family factors (size of family, children present in the home

during retirement, and role of children in retirement). Respondents

indicated that the size of their family and whether or not children

would be at home during retirement would inýuence the kinds and

numbers of activities they would have with spouse, other familymembers, and friends. Also, respondents felt that childrenÄs presence

during retirement and childrenÄs needs would play a role in the type

of dwelling they would live in during retirement. No signiücance was

found between ÃÃImportant to MeÄÄ and marital status and proximity

to retirement.There was signiücance between ÃÃImportant to MeÄÄ and speciüc

economic factors. A signiücant diþerence was found between

ünances and income area, between housing and income area, and

between income and family area. When respondents were asked if

income was important to their retirement, their responses indicatedthat income had an eþect on ünances in retirement (this means the

amount of income earned now plays a direct role in ünancial security

in retirement), on the housing they would have during retirement

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(this means the amount of income earned now directly aþects the

type of dwelling respondents will live in when they retire), and on the

overall family during retirement (this means the amount of income

earned now directly aþects the entire family in retirement). Signiü-

cant diþerences were found between previous preretirement planningand the areas of ünances, health, well-being (p , .05), and family.

When respondents were asked if previous preretirement planning was

important to their retirement, they indicated that such planning had

an eþect on ünances in retirement (this means the amount of pre-

vious planning is directly related to ünancial security in retirement) ;made a diþerence in oneÄs health in retirement (this means the

amount of previous planning, such as exercise, nutrition, etc., is

directly related to oneÄs health in retirement) ; made a diþerence in

oneÄs well-being in retirement (this means the amount of previous

planning of how one is going to spend his or her time, adjust to aging,reach his or her goals, be involved in the community, etc., directly

relates to oneÄs well-being in retirement) ; and made a diþerence on

the overall eþect of retirement on the family (this means the amount

of previous planning of family involvement and activities is directly

related to the family in retirement).Signiücant diþerences were found between retirement plans and

ünances area and hobbies and health area. When respondents were

asked directly what retirement plans were important to them, they

indicated ünances. When respondents were asked directly if hobbies

were important to them, they indicated that those hobbies pertainingto health were the most important.

In testing relationships between ÃÃActions I Have TakenÄÄ and

certain demographic factors, some signiücant diþerences were found.

A signiücant diþerence was found between present health and health

area and between present health and well-being area. Whenrespondents were asked if they were taking actions, they indicated

taking preretirement actions in present health and well-being. This

indicates that respondentsÄ attitudes toward retirement health and

well-being can be aþected by what they are doing in preretirement.

No signiücant diþerences were found between ÃÃActions I HaveTakenÄÄ and gender, age, race, or education.

Signiücant diþerences were found between ÃÃActions I Have

TakenÄÄ and family factors. Signiücant diþerences were found

between children at home and retirement activities area, between

children at home and ünances area, and between children at homeand family area. When respondents were asked if they were taking

actions, they indicated taking preretirement actions in the areas of

retirement activities and ünances if children were present in the

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home. This indicates respondentsÄ attitudes toward having a favor-

able retirement by taking additional actions in the area of ünances

when the presence of children is predicted during retirement. A sig-

niücant diþerence was found between proximity to retirement and

retirement activities area. Respondents indicated that the closer theyare to retirement, the greater their interest in retirement activities.

This latter ünding is not surprising, as one would expect the teach-

able moment to be present the closer one is to retirement. No signiü-

cance was found for ÃÃActions I Have TakenÄÄ and marital status, size

of family, or role of children in retirement.As one might expect, there were diþerences between levels of

ÃÃActions I Have TakenÄÄ and speciüc economic factors. A diþerence

was found between home ownership and housing area. When

respondents were asked if they were taking actions, they indicated

taking preretirement actions in ownership of their homes for use inretirement. A diþerence was found between adequate income and

ünances area, between adequate income and health area, and

between adequate income and well-being area. When respondents

were asked if they were taking actions, they indicated taking prereti-

rement actions for an adequate income in ünances area, adequateincome in health area, and adequate income in well-being area.

ÃÃActions I Have TakenÄÄ and present factors appeared to be

related. A signiücant diþerence was found between retirement plans

and retirement activities area, between retirement plans and ünances

area, and between retirement plans and family area. Whenrespondents were asked if they were taking direct actions in retire-

ment areas, they indicated taking preretirement actions in retirement

activities, ünances, and family areas.

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of the ündings just presented, certain conclusions can be

drawn.

Conclusion 1 : Finances, health, and well -being are important issues

in preretirement. The rural middle-aged respondents in this studywere concerned with ünances, health, and well-being in preretire-

ment and somewhat concerned about retirement activities and family

but not at all concerned about housing since most of them appeared

to be planning to live in their current homes in retirement. Having a

second career, continuing their education, having public transporta-tion, and activities with their parents were not important. One sub-

stantial reason for the lack of interest in activities with parents may

be the parentsÄ death. This was indicated by several respondents. In

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the area of housing, respondents had few concerns, and retirement

villages, continuing care facilities , and moving from the rural area

were not important. This conclusion supports previous research ünd-

ings that income planning and well-being are interrelated and a must

for survival in retirement (Barrow, 1996; Perlmutter & Hall, 1992;Richardson, 1993).

Conclusion 2: Respondents were undertaking preretirement actions

in the area of ünances. Although respondents indicated taking moder-

ate actions in all areas, they appeared to be giving a great deal of

attention to actions in the area of ünances, which is supported byvarious researchers (Barrow, 1996 ; Krout 1994 ; Richardson, 1993).

Most respondents were estimating the amount of funds required in

retirement, determining a ünancial plan, and saving for retirement

(e.g., 401 K) plans, individual retirement accounts, pension plans, and

investments). Most respondents had taken actions in the areas ofhaving a will, having a living will, checking on their life insurance,

naming a beneüciary or beneüciaries in their life insurance, and

determining the executor of their estate. Respondents also had taken

action by determining if they would need additional health insur-

ance.Although respondents indicated fewer actions being taken in other

areas of retirement, most had established a hobby; joined a church,

club, or other organization; made plans to spend time with their

spouse, be active in their community, enjoy rural living, and live in

their present home; and had taken steps to plan activities with theirspouse and friends when they retired.

Conclusion 3 : Respondents indicated that well -being is important to

them, but few were taking action. Although a signiücant relationship

existed between ÃÃImportant to MeÄÄ and ÃÃActions I Have Taken,ÄÄseveral responses to speciüc questions indicated that little or noactions were being taken. In the area of well-being, for example,

many respondents indicated the importance of learning ways to

adjust to physical changes, learning ways to adjust to the aging

process, and having goals to be accomplished in retirement, yet few

had taken any actions in these areas. Many respondents indicatedthat sharing their skills when they retire was important, but little

planning was indicated. This may be due to the fact that this is an

area in which little action can be taken until one is actually in retire-

ment or close to retirement. In the area of ünances, many

respondents indicated that it was important to know how SocialSecurity beneüts aþected their retirement plans, yet many had not

taken any action in this area. In the area of family, many respondents

indicated it was important to spend time with their children, but few

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had made plans to do so. One may conclude that additional informa-

tion is needed by middle-aged persons in how to share oneÄs skills,

how Social Security beneüts aþect retirement plans, ways to adjust

to physical changes in retirement, ways to adjust to the aging

process, how to set goals to be accomplished in retirement, and waysto spend time with children. The lack of action may be a result of the

lack of available information. This is supported by Butler et al.Äs(1991) research on the scarcity of services to rural citizens. Although

some federal programs exist (Butler et al., 1991), scattered popu-

lations and low attendance discourage additional federal involve-ment. Previous research indicates public attention regarding the

longevity of the Social Security system and changing tax laws causes

concerns, thus diverting energies toward ünancial planning

opportunities instead (Barrow, 1996; Glasgow, 1993 ; Richardson,

1993).Conclusion 4: Gender, age, race, present health, and education do

not inýuence respondents’ attitudes toward retirement areas. No diþer-

ences were found between demographic factors (gender, age, race,

present health, and education) and the level of importance partici-

pants allotted to the retirement areas (retirement activities, ünances,health, well-being, housing, and family). These ündings generally

conýict with those of Willits, Bealer, & Crider (1982) and Bostrom

(1983). However, the ündings of no signiücant diþerences between

gender, age, race, present health, and education generally support

those of Niederfrank (1980), who reported that sociodemographicfactors such as these or others are not useful predictors.

Conclusion 5 : Size of family, children present in home during retire-

ment, and role of children in retirement inýuence respondents’ attitudes

toward retirement areas (family, retirement activities, and housing). A

diþerence existed between the retirement area of family and thedemographic characteristic size of family. Although most respondents

indicated that their children will have left the family home by the

time of retirement, considerations of the possibility of their return

played a role in how respondents view their activities, housing, and

well-being of family in retirement. Respondents felt that childrenÄspresence in the home during retirement was very important and that

their presence would have a bearing on the respondentsÄ overall atti-

tude toward retirement. A majority of respondentsÄ indicated that

childrenÄs presence in the home during retirement inýuenced plan-

ning in the area of retirement activities, and the role of children inretirement will inýuence respondentsÄ housing conditions in retire-

ment. Without a doubt, whether children are present when

respondents retire is a strong variable. Often children who have left

home ünd that factors such as economic changes, divorce, or

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returning to school can bring them back to the family home

(Perlmutter & Hall, 1992). This possibility may have been in the

minds of many of the middle-aged persons who participated in this

study.

Conclusion 6 : Income, formal preretirement planning, and formalünancial planning inýuence respondentsÄ attitudes toward retirement

areas. This conclusion supports previous research ündings that

income planning and economic well-being are seen as musts for sur-

vival in retirement. Successful preretirement planning has an enor-

mous impact on oneÄs attitudes regarding ünances in retirement and,as a by-product, having a satisfactory retirement (Barrow, 1996;

Perlmutter & Hall, 1992; Richardson, 1993).

Conclusion 7 : Retirement plans and hobbies appear to inýuence

respondents’ attitudes toward ünances and health. Respondents indi-

cated the importance of ünances to retirement planning. Again,respondents indicated that retirement planning was important to

them and would directly inýuence their ünancial well-being in retire-

ment. Respondents also indicated the importance of health and

having a hobby. Respondents seem aware that life satisfaction in

retirement is linked directly to their present ünances and hobbiesand what they anticipate during retirement. This conclusion is sup-

ported by Barrow (1996), Hull (1990), and Perlmutter and Hall (1992),

whose ündings have emphasized the importance of planning retire-

ment and leisure time. These activities appear to be directly con-

nected to well-being and adjustment in retirement.Conclusion 8: Respondents’ present health is related to actions being

taken in the areas of health and well-being. Many of the respondentsÄpresent health habits in terms of health hobbies are those that

directly support and favor their health and well-being in retirement.

The idea of growth and positive reinforcement of current habits tendsto lead one to continue these practices and to participantsÄ overall

well-being in retirement (Corsini & Wedding, 1989).

Conclusion 9 : Children present in the home during retirement and

proximity to retirement inýuence respondents’ actions in retirement

activities, ünance, and family. RespondentsÄ preretirement actions areinýuenced by whether children are at home. These actions are in the

areas of retirement activities, ünances, and family. A great deal of

additional funds are seen as necessary if respondents are to still be

caring for a child in their home during their retirement. The closer

the respondent is to retirement, the more action might need to betaken. This conclusion is supported by Perlmutter and Hall (1992).

Conclusion 10 : Home ownership, adequate income, formal preretire-

ment planning, and formal ünancial planning are related to

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respondents’ actions in retirement areas of ünances, health, well -being,

housing, and family. RespondentsÄ actions in areas of ünances,

health, well-being, housing, and family were strongly evidenced by

home ownership, adequate income, preretirement planning, and

formal ünancial planning. In the area of housing, home ownershipand previous preretirement planning regarding housing were evident

in this study, with over 95% of respondents owning their homes. This

conclusion agrees with North Carolina Rural Proüle (1992) ündings

of rural growth in the area of housing and with Barrow (1996), Perl-

mutter and Hall (1992), and Richardson (1993), who reported thatowning oneÄs home at retirement is an asset and directly related to

planning for retirement.

In the areas of ünances, adequate income, and previous preretire-

ment planning, formal ünancial planning was evident, with over 75%of respondents reporting adequate income resulting from partici-pating in or having knowledge of preretirement and ünancial plan-

ning. This conclusion is supported by North Carolina Rural Proüle

(1992), in which economic growth in income was recorded for the

rural population of North Carolina, but it is in direct conýict with

the conclusions drawn by Barrow (1996) and Richardson (1993), whichindicated that the present income of rural middle-aged and indi-

viduals may hold them back from even considering planning for

retirement.

In the area of health, adequate income was reported by

respondents. Having favorable ünancial abilities and, perhaps, ade-quate income for health insurance were related to respondentsÄ feel-

ings that they would be able to take care of their health needs both

before an illness (i.e., diet, nutrition, exercise, family activities, and

hobbies) or after an illness (i.e., medical costs). Certainly, such condi-

tions would increase oneÄs overall feelings of well-being.

IMPLICATIONS

Although one must be careful in generalizing to all rural middle-aged

people, the ündings of this study are suggestive of matters that maybe important to many who live in rural settings. Ideas surfacing in

this study may be useful to educators in developing, designing, and

implementing preretirement educational programs for the rural

middle-aged population.

Through planning, the fear of uncertainty retirement holds formany middle-aged persons may be eliminated or minimized. It appears

that many in this study had done some planning and, therefore, were

not anticipating problems in retirement that they could not handle.

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Preretirement planning may be the answer to help other rural middle-

aged persons plan well in advance for retirement. Such planning may

help them to be aware of the many issues they need to consider in

retirement and to begin planning for them.

It is no surprise that the ündings revealed that ünances, well-being, and health were the areas of greatest importance to study par-

ticipants. Certainly, these areas need to be addressed in any

preretirement program.

Finances was the area in which most actions were being taken by

participants in this study. Financial security is directly linked withsatisfaction in retirement and feelings of well-being (Barrow, 1996).

The economics of retirement can be mind-boggling. An enormous

amount of knowledge is needed to achieve ünancial success in retire-

ment. Attitudes and actions toward retirement are strongly related to

the area of ünances (Hays, 1993). Although most of the participantsin this study felt their income was adequate, there is no denying the

impact income can have on retirement. Planning for retirement is a

ünancial proposition that directly aþects the type of housing one has

in retirement, repairs made to an already-owned home, and the ability

to meet family obligations. Even though the majority of the partici-pants felt they would have adequate income in retirement, they still

indicated a need for more information. More information regarding

ünances would be helpful to their ünancial planning. Education

could help in this process.

Taking charge of oneÄs health is smart. The attitudes and actionsof study respondents indicated a lifestyle including exercise and

nutritional diet as a way of life that should enhance their well-being

in retirement (Barrow, 1996; Perlmutter & Hall, 1992). Preretirement

education can be used to prepare others.

Like the respondents in this study, many middle-aged people livingin a rural setting plan to stay where they are when they retire ; plan

to stay in the home they are living in now; and plan to make repairs

to that home. They are not looking to move to a retirement village or

a retirement setting with continuing care facilities. Traditionally, the

rate of home ownership among the rural elderly is much higher thanhome ownership among the urban elderly. Preretirement education

can help persons think about changes they may want to make in their

homes so they can remain if they become subject to some of the physi-

cal frailties that aþect many older people.

A primary implication of the ündings of this study is related tothose areas in which the respondents were not taking any action yet

felt were important. Until this century there was little need for retire-

ment planning. ÃÃThe older people of previous societies were not

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retired persons ; there was no retirement roleÄÄ (Donahue, Orback, &

Pollak, 1960, p. 334). Rural areas were predominantly made up of

farms or small businesses that provided self-employment. People

simply worked till they died. Today, however, retirement is con-

sidered a critical transition in the life cycle (Barrow, 1996). Havingpreretirement information about such matters as sharing oneÄs life

experiences, adjustment to the aging process and physical changes,

having retirement goals, and making activity plans with children

may enhance respondentsÄ well-being in retirement. Receiving this

type of information late in the process or well into the last few yearsbefore retirement may cause negative views of retirement

(Richardson, 1993). This type of information could easily be over-

looked by an individual who has not had preretirement planning,

whereas ünances and health are popular topics about which most

individuals have gained knowledge outside of formal preretirementprograms.

ParticipantsÄ lack of knowledge about preretirement issues in their

entirety was also indicated by lack of action in pursuing or consider-

ing a second career or interest in nonemployment areas, such as con-

tinuing education, volunteerism, or hobbies. Lack of knowledge mayhave contributed to respondentsÄ lack of action in areas pertaining to

rural information that may directly aþect them in their old age (e.g.,

rural growth, pollution and transportation). Preretirement education

designed for rural persons might help them to be more knowledgeable

and to see courses of action they can take to improve their own situ-ations and those of others within their rural areas.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RESEARCH

There are a few recommendations for future research that come tomind after concluding the study reported in this article. First, future

research should use a more diverse rural population. This study used a

sample of extension homemakers in one state. A similar study should

be conducted that encompasses a broader rural sample. By doing so,

expanded generalizations could be identiüed. Although it is true thateach community has special needs and communities may diþer, there

may be similar speciüc rural needs to basic problems that might need

to be addressed by many states. Identiücation of such problems

related to retirement issues might aid federal, state, and local govern-

ments in designing and implementing valuable educational programs.Second this study looked at how a group of rural persons felt

regarding certain preidentiüed retirement issues. More speciüc rural

research is needed to increase researchers’ and others’ understanding of

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factors important in rural retirement. Research is needed to see if

there are factors that are unique to rural retirement life. If there are,

these factors should be incorporated into preretirement planning pro-

grams designed speciücally for rural residents.

Third, although the results of this study seem to indicate thatthese rural middle-aged North Carolina respondents are planning for

retirement in certain areas, there appeared to be a number of areas in

which respondents had not taken much action. Research may be

needed to investigate why there appears to be such a discrepancy

between the areas respondents say are important to them in retirementand the lack of actions they have actually taken. Bridging attitudes and

levels of participation can be difficult if an individual has formed a

negative association or negative opinion regarding preretirement

information, such as fear of admitting to aging, feeling of futility in

planning for the unknown, or fear of being pressured into a retire-ment decision. Direct investigation into these questions may be

useful to program planners as they try to help persons to follow

through on retirement issues that are important to them.

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1998. Washington, DC : AARP Resources Service Group.

Barrow, G. (1996). Aging, the individual and society. Minneapolis, MN: West.

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Sociology, College of Agriculture.

Bostrom, C. L. (1983). Mr., M/s. minister : Why retire? Indianapolis, IN : National Center

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Butler, R. N., Lewis, M. I., & Sunderland, T. (1991). Aging and mental health : Positive

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Corsini, R. J., & Wedding, D. (1989). Current psychotherapies. Itasca, IL : F. E. Peacock.

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Osgood, C. E., Suci, G. J., & Tannenbaum, P. H. (1957). The measurement of meaning.

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Documents

RETIREMENT NEEDS AND PREPARATION OF RURAL MIDDLE-AGED PERSONS