Generativity, the Big Five, and Psychosocial Adaptation in Midlife Adults
Abstract
The study examines the extent to which 2 sets of personality variables-(1) dispositional traits (and their facets) within the Big Five taxonomy and (2) the adult developmental construct of generativity-are associated with psychosocial adaptation in midlife adults (N=128), conceived as the combination of individual well-being and positive societal involvements. Generativity is conceived as an adult's concern for and commitment to promoting the well-being of future generations. Multiple regression analyses showed that dispositional traits were more strongly associated with individual well-being than was generativity, but generativity was much more strongly associated with positive societal engagement than were the traits. Correlations between dispositional traits and generativity revealed that highly generative adults were elevated on most of the facets of Extraversion and Openness. For the other 3 traits, generativity was positively related to facets of competence, achievement striving, dutifulness, altruism, and trust and negatively related to vulnerability, anxiety, depressiveness, and modesty.
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Multiple studies have found correlations between generativity and the Big Five traits of extraversion, openness to experience, and emotional stability among middle-aged adults.
“For example, multiple studies have found correlations between generativity and the Big Five personality traits of extraversion, openness to experience, and emotional stability (the opposite of neuroticism) among middle-aged adults (Bradley & Marcia, 1998; Cox, Wilt, Olson, & McAdams, 2010; De St. Aubin & McAdams, 1995; Peterson & Duncan, 2007; Van Hiel, Mervielde, & de Fruyt, 2006).”
From Implications of identity resolution in emerging adulthood for intimacy, generativity, and integrity across the adult lifespan. (2021) · cites this paper as Cox, Wilt, Olson, & McAdams, 2010
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Mitchell, L. L., Lodi-Smith, J., Baranski, E. N., & Whitbourne, S. K. (2021) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037/pag0000537 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Arnold, J., & Clark, M. (2016) · Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology · doi:10.1111/joop.12125 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
- Authors
- Cox, K. S., Wilt, J., Olson, B., & McAdams, D. P.
- Affiliations
- Northwestern University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Cox, Keith S.
- Venue
- Journal of Personality
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2010-07-05
- Volume
- 78
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 1185-1208
- ISSN
- 0022-3506 (ISSN-L)
- 1467-6494
- OpenAlex
- W1938748553
- Cited by
- 99
- References
- 9
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 4.91
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Personality (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Keywords
- generativity, Big Five personality traits, psychosocial adjustment, middle-aged adults, personal well-being, social participation, personality facets, extraversion, openness to experience, altruism, trust, achievement striving, vulnerability, anxiety, depressiveness, modesty
- MeSH terms
- Achievement, Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Aged, Aging, Altruism, Character, Extraversion, Psychological, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Personality Inventory, Psychometrics, Self Concept, Social Values, Intergenerational Relations, Trust
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