Development of Generative Concern Across Mid- to Later Life

Abstract Background and Objectives The development of generativity, or investment in the next generation, has been theorized about for decades. Extant empirical findings regarding generativity’s trajectory, however, are mixed. Thus, the current study modeled the development of generative concern, or the extent to which individuals care for the next generation, across adulthood. Research Design and Methods The current study followed an accelerated longitudinal design, modeling generative concern’s trajectory across the overlapping ages of 861 age-heterogeneous participants from the 10-year Notre Dame Study of Health & Well-being. Three models were fit to examine whether generative concern followed a linear, quadratic, or cubic trajectory across ages 40–84. The Final Model was tested for birth cohort effects to support the interpretation of developmental change. Results Generative concern followed an age-graded cubic trend across ages 40–84, and no birth cohort effects were apparent in this trajectory. Generative concern was highest at age 40. Although generative concern declined thereafter, it remained relatively stable across ages 50–70. Finally, generative concern declined after age 70. Discussion and Implications Generative concern, indeed, develops over time. The step-like declines across ages 40–84 are informative for both basic and applied researchers in that knowledge of this developmental trend bolsters decade-old theory and informs the optimal timing for intervention work.