Retirement, Self-Concept, Illness, and Prospects of Death: A Personal Narrative

article

Donna Crawley

Abstract

Personal adjustments to retirement are described, with particular attention to the impact of family history and the effects of cancer on well-being, lifestyle, and attitudes toward death. Changes in professional identity and status are discussed as a difficulty the author has experienced in retirement. Some of the positive aspects of retirement are also included, such as time with family and friends.

Keywords:

afterlife, aging, attitudes about death, cancer, family history, identity, psychobiography, psychohistory, resilience, retirement, self-concept, self-esteem

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About the author

Donna Crawley

Donna Crawley, PhD, is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Ramapo College of New Jersey. Her research has focused on such topics as the detection of deception, factors affecting criminal case outcomes, and the relationship between empathy and mortality salience. Her areas of expertise also include the psychology of cults, which she has studied for 40 years. She may be contacted at .

How to cite this article

Crawley, D. (2025). Retirement, self-concept, illness, and prospects of death: A personal narrative. Clio’s Psyche, 32(4), 451-454.

https://doi.org/10.70763/220787ad7829c9cbc7e9953cb1c36fb3