Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.59323/k.14.1.8

The Quality of Life of Pensioners in the Republic of Croatia: Determination of Differences With Regard to Gender, Level of Education and Marital Status

Dario Vučenović orcid.org/0000-0002-0482-2322 ; Faculty of Croatian Studies, University of Zagreb
Lovorka Brajković orcid.org/0000-0003-1228-6459 ; Faculty of Croatian Studies, University of Zagreb
Katarina Jelić orcid.org/0000-0003-2914-0392 ; Faculty of Croatian Studies, University of Zagreb

Abstract

In almost every region of the world, people nowadays live at least twice as long as they did a hundred years ago. Prolonged life expectancy has increased
the interest of researchers with the goal of improving the quality of life, mitigating losses and promoting active ageing. Croatia is among the ten countries in
the world in terms of population age and currently has 1,229,760 pension beneficiaries (HZMO, 2022), representing a significant share of the total population. The aim of this research is to verify the role of sociodemographic indicators in explaining the levels of loneliness, depression, emotional competence and successful ageing in a convenient sample as a contribution to scientific knowledge about the quality of life of Croatian retirees. 269 retirees from the Republic of Croatia participated in the research, of which 182 were female (66.4%), and 92 were male (33.6%), with an average age of 70 (range 38-93), who on average went to pension earlier than prescribed at about age 55 (SD=7.98). Sociodemographic data and standardized questionnaires were collected: Self-Assessment Scale for Successful Aging, UCLA Loneliness Scale Short Form, Geriatric Depression Scale - Short Form and Emotional Skills and Competence Questionnaire (UEK-15), with high reliability. The participants also signed informed consent, i.e. consent to participate, since the research was conducted in person, and they attached proof of retirement to the documentation. The results point to differences in quality of life and depression with regard to differences in the highest achieved level of education in the expected direction, with regard to the role of education in employment opportunities, socioeconomic status and health behaviours. The analysis of gender differences confirmed that women are more depressed and, at the same time, more emotionally competent than men with self-assessment measures, although the levels of depression are not clinical in any group. And finally, participants differ in their assessment of loneliness with regard to marital status, so that those who are in a partner relationship experience lower levels. The recommendations are supplement the above mentioned variables with objective indicators of the quality of life of retirees in the Republic of Croatia, to combine self-assessment methods with qualitative data collection methods, longitudinally monitor developmental changes, and to work on the development of a network of service providers for a wider population of elderly people that could be combined with research activities in the community. Special attention should be paid to the growing trend of institutionalization of older people, which represents a risk factor for the mental health
of retirees, especially during and after the COVID-19 crisis.

Keywords

emotional competence; quality of life; ageing; retirement

Hrčak ID:

306407

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/306407

Publication date:

1.7.2023.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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