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Psychological well-being in mid to late life: The role of generativity development and parent–child relationships across the lifespan
Abstract
This study examined the association between generativity and psychological well-being for a subsample of 1882 mid- to late-life parents using the MIDUS data set. Guided by Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, we tested a structural model of psychological well-being that also included direct and indirect effects (via generativity) of remembered pre-adult relationships with parents and current parental experiences with offspring on well-being. Respondents who recalled positive, trusting relationships with parents in childhood reported more positive parental experiences with their adult offspring and better psychological well-being. Current parental experiences had both indirect and direct effects on well-being too, but generativity had the strongest direct effects. Thus, it appears that the achievement of generativity plays a substantial role in well-being in mid- and late life. Findings also reveal that the impact of generativity on well-being is stronger for females than males. Implications for intervention with older adults, such as promoting volunteer work, are discussed.
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“Empirical work motivated by Erikson's theory has confirmed that generativity is associated with psychological well-being in middle and older adulthood (e.g., An & Cooney, 2006)”
From Thwarted Belonging and Perceived Burdensomeness During Middle and Older Adulthood: The Role of Generativity (2024) · cites this paper as An & Cooney, 2006
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Metadata
- Authors
- An, J. S., & Cooney, T. M.
- Affiliations
- Seoul Cyber University (KR)
- University of Missouri (US)
- ORCID
- Cooney, Teresa M.
- Venue
- International Journal of Behavioral Development
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2006-09
- Volume
- 30
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 410-421
- ISSN
- 0165-0254 (ISSN-L)
- 1464-0651
- OpenAlex
- W2125415852
- Cited by
- 186
- References
- 62
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 3.81
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of Behavioral Development (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Keywords
- generativity, psychological well-being, parent-child relationship, Erikson's psychosocial development, midlife crisis, intergenerational relations, gender differences, volunteering, older adults
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