• DOI:10.1093/geronb/gby069
• Corpus ID: 46984668

Failure to Meet Generative Self-Expectations Is Linked to Poorer Cognitive-Affective Well-Being.

@article{Grossman2018FailureTM,
  title={Failure to Meet Generative Self-Expectations Is Linked to Poorer Cognitive-Affective Well-Being.},
  author={Molli R Grossman and Tara L. Gruenewald},
  journal={The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences},
  year={2018}
}

• M. Grossman, T. Gruenewald
• Published 7 June 2018
• Psychology
• The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences

Objectives
Generativity, or concern with contributing to others, is theorized to be an important goal of mid-to-late life. Greater self-perceptions of generativity are associated with better well-being over time. The aim of this study is to examine how generative self-perceptions and failure to meet generative expectations over time are linked to specific cognitive-affective states (feelings of connectedness, self-worth, and positive affect), and consequently, life satisfaction.

Method
Analyses used data from Waves 2 and 3 of the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS). Multiple mediation was utilized to assess whether these cognitive-affective states linked generative failure to decreased life satisfaction. A Johnson-Neyman moderation analysis determined whether these associations vary with age.

Results
In demographically-adjusted regressions, generative contributions and expectations were associated with greater perceived social connectedness, self worth, and positive affect. Generative failure was associated with lower life satisfaction, a link that was strongest in the middle-aged and young-old and mediated by the cognitive-affective states.

Discussion
Greater feelings of generativity, and more positive expectations for future contributions, are associated cross-sectionally and over time with better affective well-being. Positive affect, social connectedness, and self-worth may partially explain why generative failure over time is linked to decreased life satisfaction.