Contribution to the Validation of the Italian Version of the Retirement Satisfaction Inventory (RSI-it)

Introduction: The Retirement Satisfaction Inventory (RSI) is an instrument that assesses the retirement satisfaction and the factors associated with short/long term adjustment. Currently there are two validation studies: Floyd, Haynes, Doll, Winemiller, Lemsky, Burgy, Werle and Heilman’s study (1992) conducted in the USA, and Fouquereau, Fernandez and Mullet’s study (1999) conducted in France. The purposes of the present research are: the validation of the RSI adapted to the Italian context (RSI-it); the comparison of the first- and second-order models derived from the factor structure identified by previous validation study; the exploration of the differences perceived in the retirement experience by subjects who had retired for different reasons. Methods: 794 pensioners (mean age 58.64 years) retired for a maximum of 5 years filled in the RSI-it. Confirmatory Factor Analysis of both first and second order models were performed. Results: First/second order models derived from the structure identified by Floyd et al. (1992) are preferable. Both convergent and discriminant validity are supported, while internal reliability of certain measures is not completely satisfactory. The relationships between first-order and second-order factors are demonstrated. The results of differences perceived in the retirement experience were consistent with Floyd et al’s study (1992). Conclusions: The RSI-it is a useful instrument for researchers and professionals in order to conduct specific and systematic evaluation of the experience of retirement.