Generativity: The Secret Sauce for Aging Well (and Happily)
Thursday, January 23, 2025.
If the thought of aging conjures images of rocking chairs and watching the paint dry, it's time to update your mental picture.
New research is flipping the script on later life, proving that growing older can be less about decline and more about shine.
At the heart of this revelation is a little gem called generativity—the concern for nurturing and guiding future generations. And it turns out, the more generativity you’ve got, the better your life tends to be.
According to a study published in The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, generativity is a psychological powerhouse, linked to greater well-being and purpose.
Researchers like Mohsen Joshanloo—academic extraordinaire and breaker of ageist stereotypes—are digging into what makes some older adults more generative than others.
What Is Generativity, Anyway?
Think of generativity as the ultimate pay-it-forward mindset. It's about investing your time, wisdom, and energy into making the world better for those who come next. Whether you're mentoring the next Steve Jobs, teaching your grandkids to bake, or volunteering at your local animal shelter, generativity is the glue that holds humanity together.
Joshanloo and his team dove deep into this concept using data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) project, analyzing responses from over 2,800 participants aged 39 to 93.
The goal?
To pinpoint the traits that predict generativity—and by extension, who’s more likely to spend their golden years glowing rather than grumbling.
The Generativity Dream Team: Traits That Matter
Through a blend of machine learning (because why not let the robots help?), the researchers identified the psychological Avengers of generativity. The standouts included:
Social Potency: A fancy term for being assertive, persuasive, and the person everyone listens to at Thanksgiving dinner. Leaders and motivators, this one's for you.
Openness to Experience: If you’re the type to try yoga for the first time at 70 or book a solo trip to Bali, congrats—you’ve got generativity potential.
Social Integration: Feeling connected to your community is a biggie. Whether it’s your book club, faith group, or pickleball league, those bonds matter.
Personal Growth: People who see life as one big self-improvement project tend to lean into generativity.
Achievement Orientation: If you’re wired to tackle goals like a pro, chances are you’re also inclined to mentor others to do the same.
Why Generativity Rocks
According to Joshanloo, generativity isn’t just a gift to others—it’s a game-changer for your own life. It brings purpose, boosts mental health, and creates a sense of connection that makes aging less about slowing down and more about leveling up.
This challenges the tired stereotype of older adults as disengaged or passive. “Old age can be a vibrant phase of activity, growth, and meaningful contribution,” Joshanloo explains. Generativity, he argues, is an antidote to stagnation.
But Wait, There's a Catch
Here’s the kicker: generativity isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. It requires effort, a willingness to step outside your comfort zone, and the kind of determination you’d normally reserve for assembling IKEA furniture. It’s less about coasting through life and more about rolling up your sleeves, taking risks, and staying engaged with the world around you.
For example, traits like emotional stability and life satisfaction—which might make for a pleasant day-to-day existence—were less predictive of generativity. This suggests that thriving in older age isn’t just about keeping calm and carrying on; it’s about staying curious, dynamic, and socially engaged.
It’s Never Too Late to Be Generative
Perhaps the most uplifting takeaway is this: demographic factors like income and health aren’t dealbreakers for generativity. Whether you’re 40 or 90, rich or strapped, in perfect health or managing chronic conditions, the capacity to contribute meaningfully to others’ lives is within reach.
“Generativity can be cultivated,” Joshanloo emphasizes. “It’s not about where you start—it’s about how you choose to grow.”
The Future of Generativity
This study opens the door to designing interventions that promote generativity.
From psychoeducational programs to community initiatives, the possibilities are vast.
Imagine workshops that help older adults channel their wisdom into mentoring or neighborhood projects that foster connection and purpose.
Of course, there’s room for more research.
Joshanloo notes the need for longitudinal studies to explore how generativity evolves over time, as well as investigations into cultural and environmental factors that influence it. But the message is clear: aging doesn’t have to mean fading away. It can mean lighting the way for others.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
REFERENCES:
Joshanloo, M. (2024). Key predictors of generativity in adulthood: A machine learning analysis. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B.
MIDUS Project (Midlife in the United States). Retrieved from https://midus.wisc.edu