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Generativity and Positive Emotion in Older Adults: Mediation of Achievement and Altruism Goal Attainment Across Three Cultures

Author

Listed:
  • Alma Au

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

  • Simon Lai

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

  • Wen Wu

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

  • Jan Hofer

    (University of Trier)

  • Holger Busch

    (University of Trier)

  • Iva Poláčková Šolcová

    (The Academy of Czech Republic Sciences of the Czech Republic)

  • Peter Tavel

    (Palacky University)

  • Sheung-Tak Cheng

    (The Education University of Hong Kong)

Abstract

Generativity, the concern for guiding the next generation, is associated with both agentic (self-orientated) and communal (others-orientated) motives. However, the role of agency-communion goal attainment has not been studied with reference to positive emotion across cultures. The present study examined the mediation effects of achievement and altruism goal attainment between generative concern and positive emotion across three diverse cultures. We used achievement goal attainment to measure agentic goal fulfillment and altruism goal attainment to measure communal goal fulfillment. We tested the mediation effects of achievement and altruism goal attainment were tested with a total of six hundred and twenty-three older adults from the Czech Republic, Germany and Hong Kong. Multi-group structural equation modeling was conducted to test whether the hypothesized model was equivalent across the three cultures. Findings suggested that achievement goal attainment mediated between generative concern and positive emotion for all three countries. However, altruism goal attainment mediated the association between generative concern and positive emotion only in Hong Kong but not in the other two countries. While achievement goal attainment may play a significant role in the association between generativity concern and positive emotion across three cultures, the present study also highlights possible cultural variation on the mediation of altruism goal attainment. Findings underscored the need for further developing a model of generativity and well-being that takes into account goal attainment in diverse cultural contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • Alma Au & Simon Lai & Wen Wu & Jan Hofer & Holger Busch & Iva Poláčková Šolcová & Peter Tavel & Sheung-Tak Cheng, 2020. "Generativity and Positive Emotion in Older Adults: Mediation of Achievement and Altruism Goal Attainment Across Three Cultures," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 677-692, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:21:y:2020:i:2:d:10.1007_s10902-019-00101-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-019-00101-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bibing Dai & Baoshan Zhang & Juan Li, 2013. "Protective Factors for Subjective Well-being in Chinese Older Adults: The Roles of Resources and Activity," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(4), pages 1225-1239, August.
    2. Tara L. Gruenewald & Diana H. Liao & Teresa E. Seeman, 2012. "Contributing to Others, Contributing to Oneself: Perceptions of Generativity and Health in Later Life," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 67(6), pages 660-665.
    3. Sheung-Tak Cheng, 2009. "Generativity in Later Life: Perceived Respect From Younger Generations as a Determinant of Goal Disengagement and Psychological Well-being," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 64(1), pages 45-54.
    4. Mariola Laguna & Guido Alessandri & Gian Vittorio Caprara, 2017. "How do you Feel About this Goal? Goal-Related Affect, Positive Orientation, and Personal Goal Realization in the Family Domain," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 827-842, June.
    5. Tara L. Gruenewald & Elizabeth K. Tanner & Linda P. Fried & Michelle C. Carlson & Qian-Li Xue & Jeanine M. Parisi & George W. Rebok & Lisa M. Yarnell & Teresa E. Seeman, 2016. "The Baltimore Experience Corps Trial: Enhancing Generativity via Intergenerational Activity Engagement in Later Life," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 71(4), pages 661-670.
    6. Sheida Novin & Ivy Tso & Sara Konrath, 2014. "Self-Related and Other-Related Pathways to Subjective Well-Being in Japan and the United States," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 15(5), pages 995-1014, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Justyna Wiktorowicz & Izabela Warwas & Dariusz Turek & Iwa Kuchciak, 2022. "Does generativity matter? A meta-analysis on individual work outcomes," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 19(4), pages 977-995, December.
    2. Junichi Hirose & Koji Kotani & Shunsuke Managi, 2023. "How do autonomy and inquisitiveness play roles in sustainable development? Implications from matrilineal Island Palau," Working Papers SDES-2023-1, Kochi University of Technology, School of Economics and Management, revised Feb 2023.
    3. Junichi Hirose & Koji Kotani, 2021. "How does inquisitiveness matter for generativity and happiness?," Working Papers SDES-2021-3, Kochi University of Technology, School of Economics and Management, revised May 2021.
    4. Hirose, Junichi & Kotani, Koji & Managi, Shunsuke, 2023. "Do autonomy and inquisitiveness contribute to SDGs? Implications from the matrilineal island of Palau," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 303-318.

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