Australian Baby Boomers Research Articles

Travel Decision Making

Underpinning generational cohort analysis is the notion that the formative experiences of each cohort influence its members’ lifelong beliefs, values, and behavior. However, previous studies have failed to verify this notion. This study is the first to do so, showing that memories of the formative years influence a generational cohort’s present-day travel decision making. Focus groups and an online survey of Australian Baby Boomer, Generation X, and Generation Y consumers provided data for the development and testing of the model presented here. Structural equation modeling shows the proposed model is robust, substantiating the importance of formative referents influencing salient referents, value perceptions, and attitude and intention to travel. This study provides a theoretical foundation for future research on this topic, highlighting the importance of considering a travel segment’s generational perspective when designing a marketing strategy.

The Australian Baby Boomer Population—Factors Influencing Changes to Health-Related Quality of Life Over Time

Identify factors associated with changes to health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in baby boomers. Panel data were collected on baby boomers at two time points, 2000-2002 and 2004-2006. A fixed-effects model was used to identify associations between changes in the dependent variable (SF-36 summary scales) and changes in independent variables (health indicators/employment status). Mental health problems, being out of labor force, sedentary behavior, and severe lung disease were associated with deterioration in physical and mental HRQoL. Obesity was associated with deterioration in physical HRQoL whereas cardiovascular disease was associated with deterioration in mental HRQoL. Unemployment, full-time employment, and absence of lung disease symptoms were associated with improvements in physical and mental HRQoL. If we are to maximize the future labor participation, and HRQoL, of this cohort, it will be necessary to reduce obesity and sedentary behavior and to further investigate the association between health and employment.

Socioeconomic, psychological and demographic determinants of Australian baby boomers' financial planning for retirement

Research from around the Western World has shown that psychological, socioeconomic and demographic factors can influence levels of financial planning. This study aims to determine how these factors interrelate to predict planning outcomes. Data from the Ageing Baby Boomers in Australia Study were used to examine the effects of multiple factors on financial planning for 709 employed Australians nearing retirement. The results showed that higher income, future time perspective (FTP) and financial knowledge independently predicted levels of retirement planning. The effects of FTP and financial knowledge on financial planning were consistent across levels of socioeconomic status. While similar issues in financial planning appeared across socioeconomic status, a 'one size fits all' approach to retirement policy may not be effective. Instead, policy should be targeted towards the diverse needs of different groups. Raising public awareness of FTP and financial knowledge may provide a useful starting point.

South Australian baby boomer advance care directive decision-making: CGT study of factors influencing ACD completion

The originality of this research resides in investigation of a specific demographic group who are younger, healthier and not the target of advance care planning programs. Significance and timeliness of...

Australian baby boomers talk about the global financial crisis

The aim of this qualitative study was to explore baby boomers' views and plans in the early days of the global financial crisis (GFC) in 2008. Informants from National Seniors Australia were interviewed in 15 focus groups conducted nationally. Transcripts were analysed by themes from semi-structured questions. The GFC was found to shake the confidence and plans of boomers. Many workers decided to delay retirement and save longer following losses in superannuation. Those retired on market-linked superannuation felt forced to reduce expenses and restrain lifestyles. Those on full pensions were relatively unaffected. The GFC called into question boomers' expectations for retirement. While financial markets are showing signs of recovery, the GFC had precipitated a decision to work longer and to draw conservatively on retirement savings that may take many years to recover. The volatility of financial and employment markets underscores the value of the Age pension.

Dementia risk factors for Australian baby boomers

Baby boomers are individuals born in the years 1946 to 1965. The objective of this paper was to define the risk factors for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and their relevance to Australian baby boomers, with the aim of providing evidence-based guidelines for dementia prevention. A series of PubMed searches (1994–2010) were conducted with relevant key words. Data was included from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in relation to baby boomers in Australia. Article titles and abstracts were assessed by two reviewers for inclusion. Searches through ABS revealed no specific study on baby boomers at a national level; information was only available for Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland. A number of genetic and non-genetic risk factors for dementia were identified most of which remain controversial and require further study. We did not identify significant differences in the prevalence and incidence of dementia in those under 65 years in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. There were no correlations of risk factors and dementia between the Australian states. Modification of risk factors has not been proven to reduce the incidence and prevalence of dementia and AD in baby boomers. Nevertheless, on available evidence, we recommend: i) active management of cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension; ii) the encouragement of a healthy lifestyle (eg, weight reduction, exercise) as offering the best pathways to reduce the emerging dementia risk for baby boomers. The implications are that activities promoting a healthy heart might lead to a healthy brain and help to prevent dementia.

Impact of the global financial crisis on employed Australian baby boomers: A national survey

This paper examines the impact of the global financial crisis (GFC) on employed Australian baby boomers. A nationally representative sample of 1009 boomers aged 50-64 years completed a survey by telephone interview mid 2009. Compared with 1 year ago, 38.9% of working boomers reported being financially worse off and this was more so for women (42.4%) than men (35.6%). Following the GFC, 41.4% of women and 31.9% of men had decided to postpone their retirement plans. The GFC is affecting the retirement preparations and plans of Australia's baby boomers. Policy implications include reduced resources for retirement needs, and uneven and differential impacts for those with interrupted employment histories, notably women.

The health of Australian baby boomers

The large baby boomer cohort is beginning to reach retirement age. This paper reviews recent Australian literature on baby boomers' health and health behaviours. Databases were searched for peer-reviewed literature and the Internet for online studies and reports. The boomers can expect an increased life span compared to those in later life now. Boomers' health behavioural risks include physical inactivity, low vegetable consumption, obesity and rising medical risk due to increasing prevalence of diabetes. Their health will impact on workforce participation and retirement timing. There is substantial scope for health improvement and consequent quality of life as boomers age. However, little is known about health decision-making, inequalities between social groups and health information sources. Future research can yield a better understanding of the health trajectories of baby boomers in order to plan for health and service needs for an ageing Australia.

Ageing Baby Boomers in Australia: Evidence Informing Actions for Better Retirement

The first Australian baby boomers are starting to retire. Consequently, it is essential to develop and apply a strong evidence base to facilitate their successful retirement and ongoing wellbeing. This review focuses on recent literature on pre‐retirement baby boomers to identify available research findings and gaps to be filled on retirement preparation. A notable shortage of empirical literature was found on pathways to retirement and financial plans. A trend emerged towards an intention to retire at an older age, and the main source of retirement income was expected to be superannuation. Over half of Australian boomers expect their savings to be sufficient; however, 30–50% anticipate a decline in their standard of living. The majority want the responsibility for funding retirement shared between the individual, government and employers. Further research is needed on the varying plans and expectations of men and women, of low‐skilled workers, and those from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Negotiating Identity in Late Life: Diversity Among Australian Baby Boomers

Much is expected of Australian Baby Boomers as they move through middle to late life over the coming decades. However, there is enormous diversity in the resources and lifestyles of the many birth cohorts that make up this population and some subgroups have been identified as at particular risk. The present article reviews the national and international research on the expectations and behaviours of baby boomers and explores the potentiality that this population, with their diversity and longer life, may contribute to the negotiation of a new social contract and cultural maturity in an Ageing Australia.

Counselling Australian baby boomers: examining the loss and grief issues facing aging distance-separated sibling dyads

It has long been recognised that mature-aged sibling dyads provide each other with emotional support. What has yet to be determined is whether this support function is maintained within the baby boomer generational cohort of sibling dyads who through economic relocation/migration have become separated by distance. As such, this paper highlights the need for research to be conducted into the experiences of baby boomers dealing with sibling loss and grief-related issues without the support of their nuclear and extended family members.

Understanding baby boomers’ expectations and plans for their retirement: findings from a qualitative study

Objective: To explore the range of expectations and plans for retirement of Australian baby boomers in order to inform policy. Methods: A qualitative study of participants recruited to 12 focus groups in NSW in 2004, grouped by socioeconomic status, gender and geographical location. Topics raised included work, retirement and financial and other planning. Transcriptions of the sessions were analysed manually to identify the range of views on each topic and any variation by the selected study variables. Results: Although some baby boomers had planned for their retirement many had not. Socioeconomic status was the most important variable associated with planning. Conclusions: The findings increase our understanding of how baby boomers from different backgrounds are thinking and planning for their retirement. Baby boomers from low socioeconomic backgrounds consider that responsibility for retirement funding should rest either solely, or partially, with the government as they have not had time to accumulate sufficient superannuation.

Australian baby boomers’ expectations and plans for their old age

The ageing of Australia's 5.5 million baby boomers (born 1946–1965) will significantly change Australian society, yet it is unclear what is known about the expectations and plans of this cohort for their retirement and old age. This paper provides a first step by reviewing the Australian literature, focusing on the areas of health, housing, work and income, and responsibility. Information from the peer‐reviewed literature and the Internet published during 1996–2005 was reviewed. One hundred ninety‐five Australian references were retrieved, of which only 94 were relevant. The review identified that, despite agreement about the significance of baby boomer's ageing, empirical work directly addressing the research topics was rare. In particular, there was little coverage of baby boomers’ ascription of responsibility for their welfare in older age. If policies are to be effective, empirical research obtaining information directly from baby boomers is required to fill the gaps identified through this review.

Using Consumer Behavior Research to Understand the Baby Boomer Tourist

This article focuses on consumer behavior research to better understand Australian baby boomer tourists, although the principles and methods behind this empirical study are equally applicable to the baby boomer tourism markets in the United States, Canada, and New Zealand, all of which experienced a major postwar baby boom. Lifestyle research, using both secondary and primary data, was the principal behavioral research approach enhanced with survey findings on the psychological motivation for vacation travel among baby boomers, as well as their vacation risk perceptions and travel patterns. Three prime-target baby boomer lifestyle segments were identified on the basis of their propensity for pleasure travel, and the three groups were profiled by their travel motivations, risk perceptions, and patterns. Distinct intergroup differences were found, which indicate a need to tailor the development and promotion of new tourism and hospitality products to each segment of boomers. The findings have relevance for marketing to North American baby boomers as well.