FISHERMEN´S RETIREMENT PROCESS

Background: The transition to retirement can be challenging for older adults. For fishermen these changes are especially prominent, since they spend long periods away from home with less opportunities to take part in family... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
The transition to retirement can be challenging for older adults. For fishermen these changes are especially prominent, since they spend long periods away from home with less opportunities to take part in family and social life and leisure activities. The process of fishermen´s retirement has rarely been studied despite the fact that fishery is the main industry in Iceland. The purpose of this study is to delineate the changes in fishermen´s life situation and occupational participation following retirement.
Method:
A mixed methods, exploratory sequential design was used. First, nine retired fishermen were interviewed and data analyzed using open coding resulting in themes. To explore some of the themes further, 37 retired fishermen were surveyed by telephone and data analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results from both parts were combined.
Results:
Retirement by choice brought fishermen satisfaction, but if health conditions or selling of fishing vessel forced retirement, it resulted in anger and frustration. Activities with family increased significantly after satisfactory retirement, but participation in leisure and social activities did not. Taking on more roles in the home sometimes caused conflicts. Participation in job seeking became hard work for those unsatisfied with retirement.
Conclusion:
Voluntary retirement is crucial for life satisfaction in the years that follow and is likely to stimulate active participation in family life. Involuntary retirement can lead to frustration and difficulties in job seeking.
Application to practice:
Fishermen that are forced to retire may need guidance and support e.g. from occupational therapists.