LIFE SATISFACTION IN RETIREMENT: THE ROLE OF PERSONALITY TRAITS AND SOCIAL SUPPORT AMONG CATHOLIC PRIESTS

Abstract

Life satisfaction represents a key component of subjective well-being and is particularly important during retirement, when individuals undergo significant psychosocial transitions. Despite growing research on retirement adjustment, limited attention has been given to religious vocational groups such as Catholic priests, especially within African contexts. The present study examined the roles of personality traits and perceived social support as predictors of life satisfaction among retired Catholic priests in Anambra State, Nigeria. A correlational survey design was adopted. Participants consisted of 51 retired Catholic priests aged between 70 and 87 years (M = 72.84, SD = 5.14) selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected using the Life Satisfaction Index (LSI-Z), the Big Five Inventory (BFI), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Multiple regression analysis was employed to test the hypotheses. The results indicated that personality traits of extraversion (β = .679, p < .001), conscientiousness (β = .432, p < .05), and agreeableness (β = .692, p < .001) were significant positive predictors of life satisfaction. However, neuroticism and openness to experience were not significant predictors. Perceived social support also showed a significant positive relationship with life satisfaction (β = .372, p < .05). The overall regression model was significant, F(6, 44) = 18.30, p < .001, indicating that the predictors jointly explained a substantial proportion of variance in life satisfaction. The findings highlight the importance of both dispositional characteristics and social relational resources in promoting psychological well-being among retired clergy. Implications for pastoral care, retirement planning, and psychological support for aging clergy are discussed.