Many men devote so much time in their younger years to their work that they develop few outside interests including a wide range of friends. As a result, their years of retirement can be lonely and
unfulfilling. For many, depression occurs. Research shows that depression and suicide among older men is a serious health problem with the suicide rate among elderly men being much higher than in the general population.
Some causes are:
• Men often retire with little or no plans for their retirement years. Many of them have very little insight into just how much their self-concept and self-worth was connected solely to their job and career. The needs of recognition, belonging, power and authority were all met through their chosen work. Their sense of who they are is so closely related to what they do that problems often develop after retirement when they lose that status.
For example, by the time most men reach retirement age they have achieved some management of supervisory responsibility in their workplace. This position of leadership and application of years of
experience to their job, makes their age a plus. One of the advantages of getting older is that their experience enables them to make contributions to their jobs that younger workers cannot make. When retirement suddenly comes, they are left without this positive feedback. Unless positive self-regard can be garnered from another source, difficulties including depression can develop.
There are ways to prepare for retirement. Seeking psychologically meaningful activities before the retirement date makes a smoother transition. Developing an interest in a hobby or learning something new gives the retiree an edge in accepting a new role. Many men are staying on with their company as a part-time consultant. Others find organizations where they can volunteer their expertise and keep their feeling of self-worth.
• Many men fail to develop a close relationship with anyone other than their spouse and family. Consequently they experience a terrible sense of loneliness after retirement. There are no colleagues to join them for a coffee break, or to share a funny joke. Men are, in general, more reluctant to commit to intimate psychological relationships, fearing self-disclosure of less than positive qualities about themselves or their performance will lead others to lower their regard for them. In the workplace, at least, they have the affiliation of those who have something in common with them. Retirement produces a feeling of isolation. If their spouse dies, they feel more isolated.
• After retirement, men feel a rather sudden decline in their physical capabilities due in large part to a more sedentary lifestyle. Many of us do not recognize the number of steps we take, stairs we climb, and the activity required in our workplaces. Muscle atrophy and loss of stamina occur when physical activity decreases. Research has consistently shown that regular isometric and aerobic exercise can dramatically reverse the effects of aging. It is self-discipline which costs little.
• Depression in older women is also elevated. For those who have devoted their younger years to child rearing, the empty nest often leads to feelings of despair, depression and some of the feelings as are found in older males.
Men and women of retirement age do not need to choose paths to depression. They can, with planning and continued optimism, continue to contribute to their fellow beings and continue to enjoy life to its fullest. One note should be added and perhaps research will continue to study the phenomenon of depression among the elderly. As the workforce ages--men and women are living longer--and as more women are in the workforce, will men still be more prone to depression than women are, or will the scales balance?
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I’m an experienced Clinical Practitioner, Administrator, Professional Writer, and Lecturer.
