Parental satisfaction and generativity in the context of successful aging

Objectives: Successful aging (SA) is undoubtedly multidimensional construct, but consensus regarding its components and operational definition is not yet reached. The most widely used SA model is probably biomedical model proposed by Rowe and Kahn (1987). It defines SA based on three criteria: freedom from disease and disability, maintaining high physical and mental functioning, and active engagement with life. Many determinants and correlates of SA were investigated so far. Unlike well-established contribution of health and lifestyle factors to SA, empirical work on the role of parenting and generativity, namely a need to care for and guide the next generation, in the context of SA was rather scarce. Therefore, we conducted a study with the purpose of examining contribution of different aspects of parental satisfaction and generativity to SA of older adults. Method: Four hundred and forty four older Croatian parents, aged between 60 and 95 years, participated in the study. Three aspects of participants’ parental satisfaction were examined using one-item measure for each. Generativity was measured by adapted version of Loyola Generativity Scale (McAdams and de St. Aubin, 1992) and SA by newly constructed Self-Rated Successful Aging Scale. Results: Results have shown that participants’ generativity and satisfaction with themselves as parents and with the relations they had with their adult children significantly contribute to SA. Besides, “successful” agers, according to Rowe and Kahn’s criteria, scored higher on generativity and parental satisfaction measures compared to “unsuccessful” ones. Conclusion: Results of the study implicate importance of interventions directed to enhancing generative concerns and quality parenting in older adults in order to facilitate aging process.