The Effects of Self-Reflection on Retirement Anxiety on Middle-aged Adults: The Dual Mediating Effects of Self-Concept Clarity and Career Adaptability

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to verify the dual mediating effect of self-concept clarity and career adaptability in the effect of self-reflection on retirement anxiety in middle-aged adults and to check whether there is a gender difference in each path. To this end, a survey was conducted on 272 adults in their 40s and 60s, and 252 data were analyzed using a structural equation model. The main results of the study are summarized as follows. First, to examine the demographic characteristics of the data, there was no significant difference in retirement anxiety in gender, age and level of education excluding household monthly income. Second, Self-reflection did not directly affect retirement anxiety, but it was found to have an indirect effect through self-concept clarity and career adaptability. Third, it was found that self-concept clarity and career adaptability double-mediated the relationship between self-reflection and retirement anxiety. Fourth, as a result of multi-group analysis, it was found that there was no significant difference between male and female groups in each path. Based on these research results, proposals for direction of intervention in career counseling for middle-aged adults who expect retirement, significance and limitations of the study, and implications of subsequent studies were discussed.