OBJECTIVES: To examine whether perceptions of generativity predict the likelihood of increases in levels of impairment in activities of daily living (ADLs) or of dying over a 10-year period in older adults aged 60-75 from the Study of Midlife in the United States (MIDUS). METHOD: Perceptions of generativity and current generative contributions as well as select sociodemographic, health status, health behavior, and psychosocial factors, assessed at a baseline exam, were examined as predictors of change in ADL disability level or mortality over the 10-year period between the baseline and follow-up waves of the MIDUS Study. RESULTS: Greater levels of generativity and generative contributions at baseline predicted lower odds of experiencing increases in ADL disability (2 or more new domains of impairment; generativity odds ratio [OR] = 0.93 and generative contributions OR = 0.87), or of dying (generativity OR = 0.94 and generative contributions OR = 0.88), over the 10-year follow-up in models adjusted for sociodemographics and baseline health and disability. Associations remained relatively unchanged with the inclusion of different sets of health behavior and psychosocial variables in analytic models. DISCUSSION: Findings indicate that greater perceptions of generativity are associated with more favorable trajectories of physical functioning and longevity over time in older adults.
OBJECTIVES: To examine whether perceptions of generativity predict the likelihood of increases in levels of impairment in activities of daily living (ADLs) or of dying over a 10-year period in older adults aged 60-75 from the Study of Midlife in the United States (MIDUS). METHOD: Perceptions of generativity and current generative contributions as well as select sociodemographic, health status, health behavior, and psychosocial factors, assessed at a baseline exam, were examined as predictors of change in ADL disability level or mortality over the 10-year period between the baseline and follow-up waves of the MIDUS Study. RESULTS: Greater levels of generativity and generative contributions at baseline predicted lower odds of experiencing increases in ADL disability (2 or more new domains of impairment; generativity odds ratio [OR] = 0.93 and generative contributions OR = 0.87), or of dying (generativity OR = 0.94 and generative contributions OR = 0.88), over the 10-year follow-up in models adjusted for sociodemographics and baseline health and disability. Associations remained relatively unchanged with the inclusion of different sets of health behavior and psychosocial variables in analytic models. DISCUSSION: Findings indicate that greater perceptions of generativity are associated with more favorable trajectories of physical functioning and longevity over time in older adults.
Authors: Tara L Gruenewald; Arun S Karlamangla; Gail A Greendale; Burton H Singer; Teresa E Seeman Journal: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci Date: 2007-01 Impact factor: 4.077
Authors: 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 Journal: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci Date: 2015-02-25 Impact factor: 4.077