Date of Award
Fall 9-5-2025
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Social Work
First Advisor
James Marley
Abstract
With an aging global workforce, understanding the determinants of retirement timing is critical for both individual well-being and societal economic stability. Traditional retirement models primarily emphasize financial and health factors but often overlook the roles of discrimination and social support. This dissertation examines the relationship between everyday discrimination and planned retirement (Planned Work Years), with social support as a potential mediating factor. Using data from the 2018 RAND Health and Retirement Study (RAND HRS), this study employs mediation analysis, hierarchical linear regression, and pathway analysis to investigate how social support influences the effects of discrimination on retirement timing among older working adults in the United States. Findings suggest that individuals experiencing higher levels of discrimination report lower perceived social support, which in turn is associated with earlier planned retirement. The findings underscore the importance of fostering inclusive workplaces and strengthening social support systems to promote equitable retirement opportunities. Implications for social work, labor policies, and aging-related interventions are discussed, with recommendations for integrating social support mechanisms into retirement planning frameworks to enhance well-being and financial stability among older adults.
Recommended Citation
Williams, Diane, "The Role of Social Support on Discrimination and Planned Retirement" (2025). Dissertations. 4208.
https://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_diss/4208
