A 1981 study was conducted to explore and modify both sentiment concerning retirement and its effects on career plans. The study's three principal components were a questionnaire mailed to a sample of 1002 University of Washington nonacademic staff members aged 36 through 55, a "mid-career planning" workshop for 75 questionnaire respondents, and a…

Occupational status is a key component of identity and self-worth for men. But little research has been done on the influence of working status on women, particularly during life cycle transitions or periods of crisis. To examine the impact of employment status on the self-esteem, psychological well-being and physical health of women at mid-life,…

Midlife crises require different behavioral responses for women who have made decisions about marriage, motherhood, and career. For women experiencing midlife crises, assertiveness training has the potential to resolve conflicts. Assertiveness training (AT) consists of three components, i.e., skills training, anxiety reduction, and cognitive…

Describes a staff development project to sensitize job service counselors to the needs and employment problems of older rural jobseekers and to develop a model in-service project. Counselor response to the program was positive. Applicant surveys showed older rural job seekers generally lack good job-seeking skills. (JAC)

Discusses the recent phenomenon of older career changers and highlights some of the strengths and proactive strategies for such people. Issues include dealing realistically with negative perceptions and stressing advantages of the mature career changer. (Author)

This guidebook addresses retirement planning for midlife women. Section 1 presents the woman an opportunity to assess herself today in terms of the roles she plays in various aspects of her life and in her relationships with others. It asks her to consider some of her plans, dreams, and things she would like to do in an ideal retirement situation.…

This book is the fifth in a series of six pocket-sized books written for career changers and laid-off workers. Each book is written at a 7th- to 10th-grade reading level and contains examples, hands-on self-discovery exercises, and step-by-step advice for a successful job search. This book describes a job search strategy that makes "overqualified"…

This book offers a unique and thorough look at the lives of 73 men and women in their 50s who were asked to reflect and comment on a variety of life issues. Chapter 1 explores the invisibility of the 50s, differing perspectives of men and women, why new myths are needed to give oneself form and meaning, and why one must think in terms of…

Adults experience cyclical periods of stability and transition throughout life. The conflict between role cycles may spur career change. Personality differences between voluntary changers and nonchangers have been identified in research. Career changes may be triggered by factors ranging from the anticipated (marriage, empty nest) to the…

Despite many employers' opinions that incentive programs for early retirement are humane and desirable, such programs have several undesirable aspects for the retirees and the U.S. economy. The programs are actually termination programs because they function as a way employers can reduce their work force. (In fact, it was the 1973-75 and 1981-82…

People who have reached a career plateau may have become demotivated. The career plateau often coincides with the so-called midlife crisis. The midlife and midcareer crisis is a time of reassessment, self-evaluation, and reflection; awareness of aging and of the limitations of the future produces such problems as depression, discouragement and…

Because new programs are being developed throughout the country to address the needs of midlife and older women, the Center for Women Policy Studies in Washington, DC, conducted a survey of selected programs and prepared a report based on the results. The Center's purpose was to establish a network through which professionals involved in issues…

Much research has focused on retirees and disengagement from prior work roles. One neglected variation is entry into second careers. Seventy persons, aged 50 to 87, who had retired from or left one occupation and taken up a second career selling their work at art and craft fairs, were interviewed. Respondents had held a variety of responsible…

Self-disclosure and marital satisfaction were studied among 125 males and females who were in their first remarriage. Essentially equal numbers had remarried in midlife (ages 30-45) and late life (ages 60-75). Employed the multidimensional Wheeless self-disclosure scales and Locke-Wallace measure of marital satisfaction. Discusses findings. (KW)

A study in 1987-92 assessed the effects of changes in life course on work and careers. Interviews with 150 individuals who remained active or continued to work beyond age 65 showed lifetimes differing greatly from the traditional model. The combination of longer lifetimes and postponement of old age has created a new stage in adult life, a second…