Issues in the study of generativity in old age

Aiming at clarification of the mechanism related to psychosocial adaptation

Abstract

  The concept of generativity was advocated by Erik Erikson. This is the concept that connects caring for the next generation and psychosocial adaptation and has been energetically studied in social sciences. It has been reported that not only midlife, which Erikson discussed at first, but also old age has various meanings in human life. However, the mechanism of psychosocial adaptation has not been fully elucidated. This article clarifies a framework for generativity research in old age to deal with issues of psychosocial adaptation. First, the argument about the concept of generativity and the empirical studies that connects generativity with psychosocial adaptation in midlife are reviewed. Second, the arguments about the concept and empirical study of generativity in old age are reviewed, and issues about examining the mechanism of psychosocial adaptation are clarified. Finally, to clarify the mechanism of psychosocial adaptation of generativity in old age, the framework of narrative approach is optimized from the viewpoint of the nature of tense in elderly people’s thinking.