The Role of Generativity in Psychological Well-Being: Does it Differ for Childless Adults and Parents?

Abstract

Given that parenthood is considered a central adult status with developmental implications, and an increasing number of adults are childless, we assessed whether adult development is structured differently for parents and non-parents. This study's main goal was to assess and compare the connection between generativity development-a key task of middle adulthood-and psychological well-being for childless adults (N = 289) and parents (N = 2,218), ages 35-74, using the 1995 MIDUS dataset. We also examined differences in these associations for women and men by parental status, because childlessness is often assumed to be more critical for females' than males' development. Structural equation modeling indicated a positive association between generativity and psychological well-being. Differences in this association for parents and childless adults were not evident, nor were there significant differences for childless women and mothers, and childless men and fathers. Implications of these findings are discussed.

Generative concern; a promising health promotion component for well-being of the elderly in Galle, Sri Lanka

“…In this study, a slightly higher mean score of generative concern in Sri Lankan elders, compared to such figures in elders in other countries was observed (14,16,21). The findings also indicate that gender and age are not related to generative concern.…”

“…In general, it is found that generative concern is positively associated with psychological well-being (14,15). Further investigations, however, are needed to validate the LGS in this target population.…”

“…In healthy aging, elders' desires and abilities to transfer of their knowledge and wisdom to younger generations (i.e. generativity) have been identified as an important health promotion component (14,15).…”

“…Elder's feelings of loneliness have been linked to functional decline and increased risk of depression and other chronic ill-health conditions (10,11). Loneliness in older adults may be partially driven by disruptions in meaningful social engagement (12)(13)(14). Generativity defined as concern of the well-being of younger generations and its related components, such as feeling socially useful or needed, are increasingly being studied and used as protective factors of successful aging (10,14).…”

“…Loneliness in older adults may be partially driven by disruptions in meaningful social engagement (12)(13)(14). Generativity defined as concern of the well-being of younger generations and its related components, such as feeling socially useful or needed, are increasingly being studied and used as protective factors of successful aging (10,14). Greater perceptions of generativity have been linked to better health outcomes and longevity in elders (10,15).…”