Retirement and Wellbeing

The ARU is running several research projects investigating the role of social factors in the aetiology of common mental disorders. The research adopts a lifecourse, ecological approach and considers family and community influences on health and well-being. Two specific projects are described below:

Welfare receipt, social exclusion and mental health

This project examines the relationship between social disadvantage and mental health, and considers social circumstances such as poverty, deprivation and welfare dependency across the life course. The research aims to inform contemporary social policy in areas such as welfare reform and pension provision.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT

Prevalence and standard errors of common mental disorders amongst men, as a function of age group and labour-force status.2

Retirement, health and well-being

This project explores the relationship between labour-force status and mental health amongst older Australians, with particular attention on retirement. The research considers the impact of retirement on mental health and wellbeing, and how the experience of common mental disorders may influence decisions about retirement and labour-force participation. The project also examines the personal and contextual factors that may moderate and mediate these effects.¹

ARU staff working on Retirement and Wellbeing

• Dr Peter Butterworth
• Associate Professor Kaarin Anstey
• Dr Tim Windsor

References

1. Butterowrth, P., Gill, S., Rodgers, B., Anstey, K., Villamil, E., & Melzer, D. (2006). Retirement and the mental health of older Australians: analysis of the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Social Science and Medicine, 62, 1179-1191.

2. Butterworth, P., Gill, S., Rodgers, B., Anstey, K., Villamil, E., & Melzer, D. (2006). Retirement and the mental health of older Australians: Analysis of the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Social Science and Medicine, 62, 1179-1191.