The role of resilience in mitigating ageism and loneliness among retirees: A silver talent management perspective

Ageism and loneliness are growing concerns affecting retirees’ mental well-being, as they often experience social isolation and exclusion from the workforce during this transitional stage of life. According to the literature, resilience serves as a psychological defense against these challenges, yet its mediating role remains underexplored in this demographic (Yarseah et al., 2024; Bai et al., 2025). Furthermore, silver talent management provides a mechanism to foster the inclusion of older adults in professional and social engagement opportunities, offering a promising but under-researched strategy to enhance resilience (Caiels et al., 2021). This study aims to examine the interplay between ageism, loneliness, resilience, and retirees’ mental well-being. Specifically, it explores how ageism and loneliness impact mental well-being, whether resilience mediates this relationship, and whether participation in silver talent management initiatives strengthens resilience and mitigates negative mental health effects. A deductive, quantitative approach will be employed, using a validated questionnaire distributed among 300 retirees exceeding the minimum sample size (Cohen, 1998) across 25 administrative districts in Sri Lanka. Data will be analysed using AMOS to assess both direct and mediating effects. It is anticipated that ageism and loneliness will negatively affect mental well-being, with resilience acting as a mediator. Furthermore, silver talent management initiatives, such as mentorship programmes and flexible employment, are expected to bolster resilience, further buffering these adverse effects. Findings will contribute to HR policies and ageing workforce strategies, advocating for age-inclusive workplaces and mental health interventions to support retirees in maintaining well-being and social engagement in developing contexts. Essay submission was presented at the New Westminster campus on April 10, 2025, for Student Research Days 2025.