The life quality and life satisfaction of retired teachers have become critical issues in contemporary education and social welfare research, particularly in the context of an aging society. This study adopts a literature review approach to examine the role of extended self-value in shaping retired teachers’ quality of life and life satisfaction. Findings suggest that although teachers lose their professional roles upon retirement, their sense of value can be sustained through continued professional engagement, social participation, family support, and self-fulfillment. These forms of self-value extension not only help alleviate feelings of role loss and social isolation but also contribute to improvements in physical and mental health, social interaction, and overall life satisfaction. Extending self-value after retirement is thus an effective means for retired teachers to enhance both their quality of life and life satisfaction.
KeywordsRetired TeachersExtended Self-ValueLife SatisfactionQuality of Life
Andrews, F. M., & Withey, S. B. (1976). Social Indicators of Well-Being : Americans ’ Per ceptions of Life Qu ality . Plenum Press.
Atchley, R. C. (1989). A Continuity Theory of Normal Aging. The Gerontologist, 29, 183-190. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/29.2.183
Belk, R. W. (1988). Possessions and the Extended Self. Journal of Consumer Research, 15, 139-168. https://doi.org/10.1086/209154
Bironia, L., & De Jose, M. (2024). Understanding Post-Retirement Well-Being: Emotional Responses and Subjective Perceptions. Journal of Gerontological Education Studies, 41, 101-117.
Brown, A. B. (2012). Extending Self-Value in Older Adults: Associations with Life Satisfaction, Depression, and Active Life Goals. Journal of Gerontological Studies, 15 , 67-83.
Campbell, A., Converse, P. E., & Rodgers, W. L. (1976). The Quality of American Life : Perceptions, Evaluations , and Satisfactions . Russell Sage Foundation.
Chang, Y.-L. (2024). An Analysis of the Relationship between Extended Self-Value and Quality of Life among Retired Higher Education Teachers. Journal of Education and Development Studies, 10, 45-67.
Chen, M. Y., Hsu, C. L., & Kuo, Y. C. (2023). The Predictive Relationship between Extended Self-Value and Life Satisfaction in Retired Civil Servants. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 66, 245-263.
Chen, Y.-L., & Lin, S.-C. (2023). A Study on the Relationship between Extended Self-Value and Life Satisfaction among Retired Teachers. Bulletin of Educational Psychology, 55, 135-160.
Diener, E. (1984). Subjective Well-Being. Psychological Bulletin, 95, 542-575. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.95.3.542
Epstein, J. L. (2001). School, Family , and Community Partne rships: Preparing Educators and Improving Sc hools . Westview Press.
Erikson, E. H. (1950). Childhood and Society . W. W. Norton & Company.
Ferrans, C. E., & Powers, M. J. (1990). Psychometric Assessment of the Quality of Life Index. Research in Nursing & Health, 15, 29-38. https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.4770150106
Frankl, V. E. (1963). Man ’ s Search for Meaning . Beacon Press.
Frontiers in Psychology (2025). Life Satisfaction among Retired Language Teachers: A Multidimensional Adaptation Perspective. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, Article ID: 1189456.
Huang, T. M., Lin, H. Y., & Cheng, W. C. (2023). A Qualitative Study on Role Continuity and Quality of Life among Middle-Aged and Older Teachers. Chinese Journal of Gerontology, 41, 99-120.
Huang, Z. J. (2006). Sociology of Education . NTNU Press.
Kim, J., & Kim, H. (2021). The Effects of Pension Reform on the Financial Well-Being of Older Adults: A Cross-National Perspective. Journal of Aging Studies, 57, Article ID: 100933.
Kim, J., & Park, S. (2020). Role Continuity and Life Satisfaction after Retirement: The Mediating Effect of Self-Concept. Aging & Mental Health, 24 , 911-917.
Lai, H. C. (2021). The Influence of Extended Self-Value on Life Adaptation among Retired Teachers: A Qualitative Research Perspective. Educational Research Monthly, 327, 41-57.
Lee, S. Y., & Kim, H. J. (2020). Extended Self and Quality of Life among Older Adults in Korea. Journal of Aging and Health, 32, 273-287.
Li, Z. X. (2015). Basic Education and National Development. Educational Data Series, 61, 1-15.
Lin, H. Z. (2020). The Relationship between Life Satisfaction and Social Support among Retired Teachers. Chinese Journal of Counseling, 57, 77-102.
Liu, C. C., & Tsai, Y. W. (2021). A Study on the Impact of Extended Self-Value on the Quality of Life among Retired Teachers. Journal of Sociology of Education, 23, 77-102.
Luo, P., Liu, Y., Pan, X., & Huang, L. (2024). Mental Health Status and Influencing Factors of Retired Teachers: A Cross-Sectional Study from China. Frontiers in Public Health, 12, Article ID: 1358285. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1358285
Maslow, A. H. (1943). A Theory of Human Motivation. Psychological Review, 50, 370-396. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0054346
Michalos, A. C. (1985). Multiple Discrepancies Theory (MDT). Social Indicators Research, 16, 347-413. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00333288
OECD (2023). Pensions at a Glance 2023: OECD and G20 Indicators . OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/19991363
Okun, M. A., & Schultz, A. (2003). Age and Motives for Volunteering: Testing Hypotheses Derived from Socioemotional Selectivity Theory. Psychology and Aging, 18, 231-239. https://doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.18.2.231
Pan, C. H., & Lin, T. Y. (2024). The Relationship between Role Extension and Life Satisfaction: An Empirical Analysis of Retired Teachers. Journal of Aging Education and Research, 8, 13-32.
Qiu, Y. X. (2021). Retirement Policies and Strategies for an Aging Society: The Case of Educational Personnel. Quarterly Journal of Aging Society Policy, 7, 21-38.
Schalock, R. L. (2000). Three Decades of Quality of Life. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 15, 116-127. https://doi.org/10.1177/108835760001500207
Seligman, M. E. P. (2002). Authentic Happiness : Using the New Positive Psycholog y to Realize Your Pot ential for Lasting Fulfi llment . Free Press.
Tengaa, P. E. (2023). Students’ Self-Efficacy in Mathematics Academic Achievement: Do Teachers’ Personality Traits Matter? Edukasiana : Jurnal Inovasi Pendidikan, 3, 128-142. https://doi.org/10.56916/ejip.v3i1.522
The Australian Educational Researcher (2025). Role Transition and Life Satisfaction: A Study of Former Teachers in Australia. The Australian Educational Researcher, 52, 65-82.
Thoits, P. A. (2012). Role-Identity Salience, Purpose and Meaning in Life, and Well-Being among Volunteers. Social Psychology Quarterly, 75, 360-384. https://doi.org/10.1177/0190272512459662
Tsai, P., & Antoniou, P. (2021). Teacher Job Satisfaction in Taiwan Region: Making the Connections with Teacher Attitudes, Teacher Self-Efficacy and Student Achievement. International Journal of Educational Management, 35, 1016-1029. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijem-02-2020-0114
Wang, X. (2022). Retired Teachers’ Engagement in Meaningful Activities and Its Impact on Quality of Life: A Five-Year Longitudinal Analysis. Journal of Aging and Psychology, 28 , 123-145.
WHOQOL Group (1995). The World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQOL): Position Paper from the World Health Organization. Social Science & Medicine, 41, 1403-1409.
Xu, W. J. (2022). Silver-Haired Teachers’ Educational Participation Experience and the Transmission of Educational Culture. Journal of Educational Research and Developm ent, 18, 45-70.
Yang, H. J., & Chao, S. F. (2022). Role Continuity and Extended Self among Older Adults in Post-Retirement Life. Journal of Aging Studies, 61, Article ID: 100976. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM0220200114
Ye, B. C. (2011). The Power of Flipped Education. CommonWealth Magazine .
Zadok, A., & Benoliel, P. (2023). Middle-Leaders’ Transformational Leadership: Big Five Traits and Teacher Commitment. International Journal of Educational Management, 37, 810-829. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM1220220541
Zeng, Q. M. (2021). Role Transition and Psychological Adjustment of Retired Teachers: An Exploratory Study. Journal of Educational Research and Development, 67 , 45-63.
Zeng, Y. H. (2020). Teacher Professional Identity and Career Development: A Motivational Analysis from Retirement to Re-Entry. Educational Administration and Evaluation, 12, 59-83.