Introduction: old age and retirement are one of the most important changes in the individual’s life. Nevertheless, little is still known about the influence of women's employment on the adjustment to these changes. Therefore, the aim of the current study is investigatation the relationship between self-concept, life satisfaction and hope among retired and housewife older adults’ women.
Method: This study is a descriptive comparative research. The 100 retired women and 100 housewives were selected in a Multi-stage cluster sampling in Karaj in 2015. Data was collected using Rogers’ Self-Concept Scale, Scale Satisfaction With Life (SSWL), Snyder ‘Hope Scale. Data were analyzed by t independent and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) statistical tests and by SPSS software version19.
Results: The results indicated that there is the significant difference between the real self (F=4.29, p=0.003), hope (F=40.06, p=0.01) and its subscales pathways (F=31.11, p=0.01), agency (F=33.7, p=0.01) and also life satisfaction (t=3.129) among retired women and housewives (p<0.001). In addition, it was not observed the significant difference between ideal self (F=0.001, p=0.98) and total scores’ self-concept (F=1.36, p=0.24) among these groups.
Conclusion: These findings emphasize that women's employment leads to increase self-concept and life satisfaction in the elderly adults.