PROFESSIONAL QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG POSTRETIRED ACADEMIC UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEES IN THAILAND

We examined professional quality of life (ProQOL) and organizational climate among 122 postretired university academics from 19 universities, who were randomly selected from all 4 regions in Thailand. Participants completed measures of ProQOL, work ability, organizational climate, and psychological morbidity. Results indicated that the mean score for compassion satisfaction (CS) was 42.4, for burnout (BO) was 29.7, and for secondary traumatic stress (STS) was 20.3, whereas the proportions of participants with high levels of CS, BO, and STS were 21.3%, 28.7%, and 16.4%, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis results revealed that younger age (60-65 years), excellent work ability, and an organizational climate of warmth and standards were significantly associated with CS; no psychological distress and lack of responsibility were significantly associated with BO; and lack of responsibility was significantly associated with STS. These results may help health managers at universities to improve ProQOL among their retired workforce.