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Relationships of proactive behaviour with job-related affective well-being and anticipated retirement age: an exploration among older employees in Belgium

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Abstract

Developed countries throughout the world are challenged with the ageing of their labour force. In these societal contexts, low employment rates and early labour market exits of older employees are at stake, as well as arrangements for retirement, financial household considerations and mutual obligations between generations. Although proactive behaviour has been extensively studied, no research has addressed the proactive behaviour of older employees themselves when facing (re)hiring and retention versus early retirement. For the first time, this study tests the relationships of proactive behaviour with job-related affective well-being and anticipated retirement age in a sample of employees aged 50+ (N = 89) in Belgium. The findings are obtained by using a self-report questionnaire. Statistical analysis includes correlation and regression analysis. Major findings are that (i) proactive older employees feel energetic, enthusiastic, inspired, at ease, relaxed and satisfied; and (ii) later retirement is anticipated when experiencing positive affective well-being at study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Personnel Management, Work & Organizational Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Rita Claes

  2. Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

    Kaat Van Loo

Authors
  1. Rita Claes
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  2. Kaat Van Loo
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Correspondence to Rita Claes.

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Responsible Editor: D.J.H. Deeg.

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Claes, R., Van Loo, K. Relationships of proactive behaviour with job-related affective well-being and anticipated retirement age: an exploration among older employees in Belgium. Eur J Ageing 8, 233–241 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-011-0203-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-011-0203-7

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