In support of innovation theory

Innovation in activity patterns and life satisfaction among recently retired individuals

Datos Bibliográficos

ID11200933
AutoresGalit Nimrod (0000-0001-5878-8222, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, autor de correspondencia)
Año2008
Volumen28
Número6
Páginas831-846
Fecha de publicación2008-08-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaAgeing and Society (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0144-686X • E-ISSN: 1469-1779
EditorialCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0144686x0800706x
OpenAlexW2131871434
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas30
Referencias citadas38

A central theme of ‘innovation theory’, which the author and a colleague have proposed and which is concerned with the triggers, types and benefits of innovation in later life, is that adding brand-new leisure activities after retiring from work enhances post-retirement wellbeing. The study reported in this article aimed to examine this proposition using quantitative data from a nationwide sample in Israel of 378 recently retired individuals. The study explored the frequency of post-retirement innovation in people's leisure repertoires, the association between innovation and retirees' life satisfaction, and factors in the differing life satisfaction of innovators and non-innovators. The results indicate that the inclination toward innovation significantly associated with the respondents' work and retirement histories, as well as with their self-rated health and world region of origin. Innovators had significantly higher life satisfaction than non-innovators, but this difference could not be explained by the number of new activities. In addition, socio-demographic differences failed to explain innovators' wellbeing. While some support for innovation theory was provided, further research is required to explore the dynamics by which innovation at older ages contributes to retirees' wellbeing

Demographic economics · Economics · Life satisfaction · Proposition · Sample (material) · Sociology · Medicine · Migration, Aging, and Tourism Studies · Psychology · Recreation, Leisure, Wilderness Management · Retirement, Disability, and Employment · Social Psychology · Gerontology