LIFE SATISFACTION, SOCIAL SUPPORT AND RELIGIOSITY AS PREDICTORS OF PRE-RETIREMENT ANXIETY
ABSTRACT
This study investigated life satisfaction, social support and religiosity as predictors of pre-retirement anxiety among civil servants in Enugu metropolis. Two hundred and twenty eight (228) prospective retirees comprising 145 males and 83 females, with age range of 45 to 60 years (M = 52.41; SD = 4.83) were sampled using purposive sampling technique. Four instruments were used for data collection, namely; The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SwLS), Religious Commitment Inventory (RCI-10), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and Retirement Anxiety Scale (RAS). A cross sectional design was adopted while multiple regression was applied in analyzing the data. Result revealed that life satisfaction negatively predicted pre-retirement anxiety (r = -.16, p < .05). Social support negatively predicted pre-retirement anxiety (r = -.19, p < .01). Religious commitment did not significantly predict pre-retirement anxiety (r = -.04). The significant prediction of pre-retirement anxiety by life satisfaction and social support indicated that people who are more satisfied in life at the verge of retirement and have good social support/network with families and friends have low anxiety towards retirement, while those who are not satisfied in life and with poor social support/network have high levels of anxiety towards retirement. Findings were discussed based on existing literature, implications were highlighted and suggestions for further studies were made.