GOAL CONTINUITY AS A MEDIATOR OF EARLY RETIREMENT ADJUSTMENT - TESTING A MULTIDIMENSIONAL MODEL

From a self-psychology perspective adaptation to changes in life depen ds on the ability to maintain stable and meaningful life goals and pur pose, or goal continuity. Goal continuity was hypothesized to be a med iator of early retirement adjustment, being a variable between persona l and social resources and life adjustment. A multidimensional model o f retirement adjustment was tested with self-report and interviewer in dexes from a sample of 157 voluntary early retirees. Structural relati ons modeling indicated that social support did not directly influence adjustment but was associated with increases in goal continuity, which was linked to increases in leisure quality and life satisfaction. Imp lications for further research and for the role of personality in medi ating midlife and early retirement adjustment are discussed.