Percepções de aposentados da serra gaúcha em relação à desvinculação total do trabalho

Abstract

This research aimed to explore the perceptions of retirees in the Serra Gaúcha, regarding retirement and it was organized in two studies. The first one which constitutes Section I, relates to a systematic review of the literature about retirement and mental health, comprised between 2006 and 2011. The results indicated that, among the research methods used, quantitative studies prevailed and by comparing the results by thematic it was perceived that the most studied thematic in the international literature was “consequences of retirement over health” followed by “preparing to retirement” and “life quality and satisfaction with retirement” as the third. Another aspect that stands out is the restricted number of studies found in the aging category, which indicates a gap in the national and international literature. On the other hand, Section II is constituted of an exploratory descriptive qualitative research in which 12 retirees, unbound from their jobs within a period from 12 to 24 months, participated. The data were collected by means of semi-structured interview and treated through descriptive and content analyses. Among the results achieved stands out the perception of positive and negative aspects in retirement by the retirees. Most of the group perceived retirement as positive and sought alternatives to fill the time once intended for professional activities. On the other hand, the ones who considered retirement negative attributed to work a central importance in their lives, expressing bigger suffering after unbinding from the professional activities. The data also showed that despite gains in life quality and improvements in the general health state with retirement, there was loss of daily intimacy with colleagues and hence a reduction in the retiree’s social circle. It is expected that new studies should be performed to enlarge and expand the knowledge regarding this important phase of vital cycle.