Active interest mentorship for soon-to-retire people: a self-sustaining retirement preparation program

Abstract

Purpose of the study: Retirement is a major life transition that often leads to maladjustments and mental health hazards. In this study, we developed an innovative retirement preparation program, the Active Interest Mentoring Scheme (AIMS), which utilized active interest development as a positive entry point through which to engage soon-to-retire people. Design and Methods: Each retiree received a one-year mentorship six months before retirement. Adopting a quasi-experimental design, the study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the AIMS in protecting retirees’ well-being. The well-being status of 161 retirees was assessed at four-month intervals. Measures included self-esteem, life satisfaction, positive affect, depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms. Serial trend analysis revealed a general improvement in well-being at four months after mentorship, followed by regression in some variables at two months after retirement. Results: Upon completion of the program, participants generally returned to a level of well-being that was comparable to or better than pre-retirement levels. The first two months after retirement appeared to be the most distressing. Discussion: The findings support the efficacy, as well as feasibility of the innovative retirement preparation program.