As people have currently a longer life expectation than was previously experienced, it means that
many could face a prolonged retirement period of 30 years or even longer. Life changes as an
unavoidable element of life may create rather drastic challenges. The approach towards retirement
may cause stress and uncertainty for some people, as well as the realisation that necessary
changes need to occur.
This study focuses on research regarding the life transition to retirement and the challenges each
person faces during this phase of life. The purpose of this study was to investigate the experiences
and perceptions that retired people had of their life in retirement, with the purpose of formulating
guidelines for the development and implementation of a coaching model for retirement.
For the purpose of this study, the following four tasks of practical theological interpretation, as
explained by Osmer, were followed:
Descriptive-empirical task – “What is going on?”
Interpretative task – “Why is this happening?”
Normative task – “What ought to be happening?”
Pragmatic task – “How might we respond?”
An empirical qualitative study was done with retired people by way of focus groups. What
transpired was that the reality of a longer life expectancy, the continuation of an active lifestyle and
the turbulent economic climate could all have an influence on the quality of retirement. The results
from the empirical study suggested that it is essential to follow a holistic approach in the
preparation, planning and adaptation process regarding retirement.
From the interpretative task regarding life coaching, it transpired that coaching is one of the fastest
growing disciplines with worldwide recognition. Life coaching is being used as a method to facilitate
purpose-driven change on personal, spiritual and professional levels.
From the interpretative task regarding retirement it was established that retirement is a concept
that is undergoing vast changes, while various perceptions regarding retirement are being upheld.
On account of the longer life expectancy that is currently observed, retirement is nowadays being
perceived more as a transition from full-time employment to a lesser work-orientated existence. The normative task focused on the aspects of life coaching by showing examples of prominent
leaders in the Bible and how their behaviour can possibly enrich and form the life of the life coach,
and can be applied as an example to imitate. Although no logical concept for retirement is detailed
in the Bible, the elderly are highly regarded and they can live with an unfailing, hopeful future
expectation of eternal life and the second coming of Jesus Christ.
The conclusion of the study is that, through good planning and preparation for the life phase of
retirement, retirement coaching can be instrumental in a more positive attitude towards retirement
and good emotional, intellectual, spiritual, physical, social and financial adjustment in retirement.
With reference to the results of the descriptive-empirical task, the interpretative tasks and the
normative task, practical-theoretical guidelines were formulated in the pragmatic task of a life
coaching model with a view to retirement. / MA (Pastoral Studies), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:NWUBOLOKA1/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/14141 |
| Date | January 2015 |
| Creators | Smith, Marjorie |
| Source Sets | North-West University |
| Language | other |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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