The Psychology of Retirement: Coping with the Transition from Work

Acknowledgments

I am much indebted to the many people who have encouraged and supported me during the preparation of this book during 2011–12. Many of them have taken the trouble to read draft chapters and to offer suggestions, helping me to improve the flow or richness of the material. Others have simply allowed me to outline my thinking and have offered their valuable reactions. In particular, I am hugely indebted to my partner, Jan Little, for her patient and skilful work on improving the book's flow and coherence, not tomention her general interest and unstinting encouragement. Duncan Gray also deserves a special mention for sharing an unflagging interest in the book's development, and for his stimulating thoughts (e.g. on happiness and money). Similarly, my “case study” contributors should be applauded for tellingme about their retirement experiences, warts and all.Within the book they have pseudonyms, and some non-essential details (as far as the book is concerned) have been changed, to protect their anonymity. But to give them the credit that they merit, here are their real names: David Blackwell, Margaret Clark, Lynn and John Joyce, Celia and Jim Keegan, Kevin Robson, Tom Smith, Douglas Thomson, and Keith Turner. Priceless assistance with typing my taped material was provided by Karen Clark and Barbara Mellors at New castle University. Graphic artist Angela Butler produced the figures. Research Assistant Laura Maddison searched the scientific literature for relevant studies, ...