Roles of Members in Support Networks to Retirees

Abstract

This qualitative study aims to assess the roles of members of Support Networks to Retirees. Data on 12 retirees aged between 52 and 66 years were collected by means of semi-structured interviews and Network Maps and analyzed in the light of the Grounded Theory using the 1.6.0 Atlas.ti software. Results show that families and friends are the primary source of social interaction for retirees, although they also establish relationships in other social settings. Moreover, the Support Networks exerted considerable influence on different stages of the retirement process, as members’ roles functioned as vital resources in aiding their decision-making and adjustments. These findings evince the relevance of considering the relational universe in which the retiree is inserted, for affective interactions consolidate the actions of managing every retirement-related process of change.

Keywords:
Work; Retirement; Significant Social Network; Social Support; Family