Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.5559/di.20.3.04
Some Aspects of Adults' Concern for the Younger Generations: Sex and Age Differences
Ivana TUCAK JUNAKOVIĆ
orcid.org/0000-0003-2166-1089
; University of Zadar, Zadar
Abstract
Erikson's concept of generativity refers to the concern for
younger generations and for one's lasting contributions to
society, which is the main issue of middle adulthood. After
Erikson, the construct of generativity was elaborated by many
authors, and its widest elaboration is presented in McAdams
and de St. Aubin's model of generativity (1992). In previous
testing of the model, the relations among a few of its
components were tested. Therefore, the study was conducted
with the aim to test the relations among five, out of seven,
components of the model (generative desire, concern,
commitment, belief in the species, and generative action),
and to explore sex and age differences in those components.
A sample of 300 adults 25 to 75 years old participated in
the study. Components of generativity were measured by the
previously developed scales, their adapted and culturally
adjusted versions, or by the newly constructed scales. In line
with the assumptions, the analyses showed that almost all of
the generativity components correlated significantly and
positively. The results also suggest that generativity is a
developmental issue not only of the middle, but of the entire
period of adulthood. Furthermore, sex differences in the
majority of the components of generativity were not
significant. Only communion orientation (as an aspect of
generative desire), and generative action were more
pronounced in women. The study results were interpreted in
line with the theoretical approaches to generativity, primarily
with those proposed by Erikson and McAdams and de St.
Aubin, as well as in the context of theories of development in
adulthood.
Keywords
generativity; McAdams and de St. Aubin's model; adulthood
Hrčak ID:
72442
URI
Publication date:
10.10.2011.
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