Does Type A personality have a positive or negative impact on the delayed retirement intention of older workers?

Objectives: To determine whether the effects of Type A personality were positive or negative on the intention to delay retirement when taking into account both its direct and indirect effects mediated by occupational stressors and psychological distress.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey on the intention to delay retirement, psychological distress, occupational stressors, and Type A personality among 1752 older Chinese workers was conducted, and a structural equation approach was employed to examine these effects.

Results: The delayed retirement intention of Chinese workers was low (i.e., individuals were unwilling to delay retirement), and the expected retirement age was significantly lower than the official retirement age (i.e., the age when individuals become eligible for government pensions). Type A personality was directly associated with significantly higher intentions to delay retirement, but its indirect effects mediated by occupational stressors and psychological distress were insignificant.

Conclusions: The total effects of Type A personality on the intention to delay retirement were positive. Personalized intervention strategies based on Type A personality may be beneficial in motivating the work potential of older workers.