Abstract
Generativity, or concern with contributing to others, is an important aspect of middle and later life. Greater self-perceptions of generativity are associated with more favorable well-being over time. The aim of this study is to examine how perceptions of generativity and realizations of generative expectations are linked to individuals’ cognitive-affective well-being. Data from Waves 2 and 3 of the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) were used to examine how individuals’ predicted and achieved generative contributions, and any deviation between them, relate to their cognitive-affective states, including social connectedness, self-enhancement, and positive affect. In demographically-adjusted regression analyses, both perceived generative contributions and more positive expectations regarding future generativity, were significantly (p<.05) associated with higher levels of each cognitive-affective state, concurrently, and ten years later (generative contributions: positive affect β=.18 &.14; self-enhancement β=.18 &.14; social connectedness β=.23 &.17, respectively; generative expectancies: positive affect β=.20 &.16; self-enhancement β=.19 &.16; social connectedness β=.22 &.17). Examination of the discrepancy between self-reported generativity at follow-up and the level of generativity participants predicted for themselves ten years prior indicated that more positive deviations were associated with better well-being at follow-up (positive affect β=.15; self-enhancement β=.13; social connectedness β=.14). A Johnson-Neyman analysis indicated these associations were strongest in those in their mid-40’s to mid-70’s. Findings suggest that greater feelings of generativity, and more positive expectations for future contributions, are associated cross-sectionally and over time with better well-being. Enhanced well-being is particularly linked to greater than expected generativity in middle, and young-old, ages.