Premium
Adolescent Generativity: A Longitudinal Study of Two Possible Contexts for Learning Concern for Future Generations
Author(s) -
Lawford Heather,
Pratt Michael W.,
Hunsberger Bruce,
Mark Pancer S.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of research on adolescence
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.342
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1532-7795
pISSN - 1050-8392
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-7795.2005.00096.x
Subject(s) - generativity , prosocial behavior , psychology , developmental psychology , construct (python library) , erikson's stages of psychosocial development , generative grammar , sample (material) , adult development , linguistics , philosophy , computer science , programming language , chemistry , chromatography
The purpose of the present study was to investigate developmental pathways to Erikson's (1959) construct of generativity, defined as care and concern for the next generation and traditionally viewed as important for midlife adults, in a late adolescent sample. A sample of 198 adolescents was followed three times over a 6‐year period, from ages 17 to 23. Questionnaire measures of generative concern, parenting style, community involvement, and personal adjustment were collected. Adolescents' generative concern was positively related to good adjustment, as has been observed previously among adults. Generative concern at age 23 was predicted by earlier reports of family authoritative parenting, and especially by higher levels of earlier prosocial community involvement among these adolescents. Overall, results suggest that generativity may be a developing element in the domain of prosocial moral concern in later adolescence, and that family and community roots may be important in its establishment.