Depression, anxiety, and satisfaction with life among working versus non-working retirees: a cross-sectional comparative study.

Abstract

There has been a growing emphasis on the post-retirement work of the elderly, which can either be beneficial or pose risks to their mental health. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of depression and anxiety, as well as the level of life satisfaction, among working vs. non-working retirees. In a cross-sectional study, 270 retirees aged 60 yr or older were enrolled; of them, 122 were working and 148 were not. An interview-based questionnaire was utilized, incorporating sociodemographic, occupational, and clinical data, along with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Compared to non-working retirees, working retirees exhibited lower rates of moderate to severe depression (39.3% vs. 67.0%) and anxiety (30.3% vs. 59.5%), as well as a higher rate of life satisfaction (59.8% vs. 41.2%). In the multivariate regression analysis, non-working retirees were more likely to experience moderate to severe depression and anxiety, with AORs of 3.4 and 3.9, respectively, while continuing to work after retirement was an independent predictor of satisfaction with life, with an AOR of 1.8. Therefore, recruiting and retaining older workers, while considering their physical and mental capabilities, is recommended, along with mental health screening.