Motivation for the Research

The authors were motivated to explore the psychological aspects of retirement, focusing on the transition individuals face as they leave meaningful work behind. Teresa Amabile’s previous research identified the 'progress principle,' emphasizing the psychological benefits of making progress in meaningful endeavors. This personal insight combined with a lack of rigorous research regarding the emotional experiences during retirement provided a launching point for their study. The collaboration expanded to include social and relational factors, enriching the research scope significantly.