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In support of innovation theory: innovation in activity patterns and life satisfaction among recently retired individuals

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 November 2008

GALIT NIMROD
GALIT NIMROD*
Affiliation:
Department of Hotel and Tourism Management and Center for Multidisciplinary Research in Ageing, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel.
*
Address for correspondence: Galit Nimrod, Department of Hotel and Tourism Management, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, POB 653, Beer-Sheva 84015, Israel. E-mail: galit_n@zahav.net.il, gnimrod@som.bgu.ac.il
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Abstract

A central theme of ‘innovation theory’, which the author and a colleague have proposed and which is concerned with the triggers, types and benefits of innovation in later life, is that adding brand-new leisure activities after retiring from work enhances post-retirement wellbeing. The study reported in this article aimed to examine this proposition using quantitative data from a nationwide sample in Israel of 378 recently retired individuals. The study explored the frequency of post-retirement innovation in people's leisure repertoires, the association between innovation and retirees' life satisfaction, and factors in the differing life satisfaction of innovators and non-innovators. The results indicate that the inclination toward innovation significantly associated with the respondents' work and retirement histories, as well as with their self-rated health and world region of origin. Innovators had significantly higher life satisfaction than non-innovators, but this difference could not be explained by the number of new activities. In addition, socio-demographic differences failed to explain innovators' wellbeing. While some support for innovation theory was provided, further research is required to explore the dynamics by which innovation at older ages contributes to retirees' wellbeing.

Keywords

retirementleisurelife satisfactioncontinuity theoryinnovation theory
Type
Research Article
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 28 , Issue 6 , June 2008 , pp. 831 - 846
Copyright
Copyright © 2008 Cambridge University Press

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