Middle AdulthoodMiddle Adulthood

Generativity vs. StagnationGenerativity vs. Stagnation

Family Life: Thriving or surviving?Family Life: Thriving or surviving?

Developmental TasksDevelopmental Tasks

• Managing a career

• Nurturing an intimate relationship

• Expanding caring relationships

• Managing the household

Psychosocial Crisis: Generativity vs. Stagnation

How to Achieve the Developmental How to Achieve the Developmental Tasks of Middle AdulthoodTasks of Middle Adulthood

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XtPOu2IC7c

Generativity operationalizedGenerativity operationalized

Loyola Generativity Scale-complete and score

• Generative concern

• Generative commitment

• Generative action

• Generative narrative

Generativity resultsGenerativity results

AGE 21-24 25-34 35-60 35-45 46-60

n 5 7 12 5 7

Range 26-45 32-55 25-54 25-50 26-54

Median 37 42 39.5 37.8 49

Mean 36.2 44 40.7 39.2 42.3

StagnationStagnation

Defined as: lack of involvement and inclusivity, self-absorption, lethargic, apathetic in…

• Self

• Relationship

• Work

• Community

Hypothesizing: What might prompt Hypothesizing: What might prompt reflection on one’s impact?reflection on one’s impact?

• Realization that one has reached halfway point – awareness of mortality.

• Meaning of earlier contributions becomes apparent.

• Increased stability allows time for reflection.

• Others?

Developmental stages of familiesDevelopmental stages of families

• Remaining single• Partnered, no children• Before children• When children are in early and middle

childhood• When children are adolescents• When children are adults• When parents become grandparents

Grandparents parentingGrandparents parenting

• In WA state, 61,900 children live in grandparent-headed households• In 35,761 of these, neither parent is present• 71% under age 60• 13% living in poverty• Nationwide, 6 million living with grandparents, 2.5 million without

parents present• 71% under age 60• 19% living in poverty• Why does this happen?

– Divorce– Teen parenting– Death or disability of parent– Substance dependence of parent– Incarceration of parent

As As developmental psychologists, developmental psychologists, consider and discussconsider and discuss……

• How might the role of “parent of grandchildren” create role strain, role conflict or role loss?

• Consider the developmental tasks…how would parenting a grandchild contribute to or detract from accomplishment of them?

• In what ways might this experience impact the psychosocial crisis, generativity vs. stagnation?

• What research questions would help us understand how to provide support?

• What type of support would improve developmental outcomes for the family members?

• Grandparents-– Grief, anger, resentment, guilt– Culture shock– Financial drain– Health issues– Relationships (between grandparents, with peer

group)– Sense of purpose– A second chance at parenting– Close relationship with grandchildren