Psycho-Social Indices and Retirement Adjustment of Teacher-Retirees In Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated psychological and sociological indices of teacher-retirees' retirement adjustment in Ondo state, Nigeria. Using descriptive survey, retired teachers from public primary and secondary schools constituted the population with a sample of 116 retirees selected by multistage sampling. The Positive Mental Health Scale (PMH-scale), Distress Disclosure Index (DDI), Family Cohesion Scale (FCS), Multi-dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and Retirement Adjustment Scale (RAS) were employed to gather data from the respondents. Data collected were analysed using frequency counts, percentage, mean and standard deviation statistics. The results revealed that the mental health readings of the respondents were low, while their level of distress disclosure was high. Further results showed the respondents’ family cohesion as high; and while their degree of social support was also high, their adjustment to retirement was equally high. The study concluded  that although the mental health rating of the teacher-retirees was low, but they were better in how they revealed their distressing moments to significant others, cohesiveness in their family, social support from important others, and adjustment to retirement. It was recommended that at every point of preparing prospective retirees for retirement, retirement counsellors and other resource individuals need to underline the relevance of positive mental health and its enhancers.