Mental Health RAISR4D

Towards Digital Support for Mental Wellbeing in Retirement Transition: Expert Insights

12/05/202612/05/2026

AI Summary

Retirement transition threatens mental wellbeing via loss of routine, identity, meaning and social connections.
Experts recommend digital features: comprehensive information, social connectedness tools, meaning-focused activities, personalised routines, peer communities and self-reflection tools.
Design guidance emphasises evidence-based, actionable interventions and adoption factors to support mental health in retirement transition.

Stud Health Technol Inform. 2026 May 7;335:28-33. doi: 10.3233/SHTI260050.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Transition from working life to retirement can challenge mental wellbeing due to loss of identity, meaning, daily structure, and social connections. This study aimed to gather expert perspectives to inform the design of Retirement Companion, a digital solution that supports mental health during the transition to retirement.

METHODOLOGY: An online survey was conducted with 16 experts from psychology, academia, healthcare, social work, and human resources. Qualitative analysis was used to identify key themes related to mental health challenges, design requirements, and adoption factors.

RESULTS: Experts highlighted the core challenges such as loss of routines, self-worth, meaning, and social connections. Recommended features included the display of comprehensive information, tools for social connectedness, meaning-focused activities, personalized routines, peer communities, and tools for self-reflection.

DISCUSSION: The findings provide actionable design guidance for creating evidence-based and supportive digital interventions for mental health support in the transition to retirement.

PMID:42119086 | DOI:10.3233/SHTI260050

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