Middle Adulthood
Generativity vs. Stagnation
Family Life: Thriving or surviving?
Developmental Tasks
•
•
•
•
Managing a career
Nurturing an intimate relationship
Expanding caring relationships
Managing the household
Psychosocial Crisis: Generativity vs.
Stagnation
How to Achieve the Developmental
Tasks of Middle Adulthood
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XtPOu
2IC7c
Generativity operationalized
Loyola Generativity Scale-complete and
score
•
•
•
•
Generative concern
Generative commitment
Generative action
Generative narrative
Generativity 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
44
40.7
39.2
42.3
36.2
Stagnation
Defined as: lack of involvement and inclusivity,
self-absorption, lethargic, apathetic in…
• Self
• Relationship
• Work
• Community
Hypothesizing: What might prompt
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 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 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 developmental psychologists,
consider 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