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This one trait plays a major role in people feeling more fulfilled in old age, says study

Not every elderly person is grumpy and easy to anger because of a rare trait in them that makes their lives more fulfilling.

BY AMPLIFY STAFF

PUBLISHED 2 DAYS AGO

An old man and a woman dancing and smiling (Representative Cover Image Source: Pexels |
Tima Miroshnichenko) — An old man and a woman dancing and smiling (Representative Cover Image Source: Pexels | Tima Miroshnichenko)

We sometimes find aged folks around us who are grumpy or extremely hard to reason with. They always have a disgruntled look on their faces, making us wonder if we all turn out like that as we age. According to a study published in The Journals of Gerontology, people from the older generations are more likely to feel fulfilled in their old age if they develop a particular selfless trait. Elderly people need generativity traits to feel more fulfilled and happy in the later years of their lives. ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

Image Source: Pexels | Photo by Pixabay — (An old woman sitting on a swing and an old man standing by her side (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Pixabay)

Generativity is defined as "the propensity and willingness to engage in acts that promote the well-being of younger generations as a way of ensuring the long-term survival of the species" by Science Direct. Carrying this altruistic trait is all about being a person who genuinely cares and supports their future generation. Moshen Joshanloo, who is an associate professor at Keimyung University and an honorary principal fellow at the University of Melbourne, led the study. He used data from an old project published by the National Institute of Aging where people of the U.S. aged between 25 to 74 were interviewed in 1995-96. The mean age of participants was about 64. ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

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"This study aimed to explore a broad range of predictors of generativity in older adults. The study encompassed over 60 predictors across multiple domains, including personality, daily functioning, socioeconomic factors, health status, and mental well-being," the study noted. Joshanloo also used the Loyola Generativity Scale to measure generativity and machine learning techniques to analyze the data from the project. “Old age can be a time of fulfillment, productivity, and meaningful social contribution, with generativity playing a critical role in promoting active and successful aging," Joshanloo deduced and told PsyPost.

An old woman looking at an old man with a big smile on her face. Representative Image Source: Pexels | Mikhail Nilov

Generativity is not something people are born with but it is something they can practice for the well-being of their own and future generations. "People who feel that they have the power to make a difference may be more likely to pursue health-promoting activities because they believe that such actions can be meaningful," psychosocial specialist, Kendra Cherry, explained in Very Well Mind. Those practicing generativity cultivate better relationships with people around them by participating in communal activities, volunteering, mentoring or simply helping family members and loved ones with anything. A person with generativity also tends to be more productive and motivated.ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

elderly couple smiling and posing for a photograph (Representative Cover Image Source: Pexels | Tristan Le)

As a result, those people carry a sense of self-satisfaction and live a fulfilling life. “The findings of this study portray generativity as a dynamic process of development and contribution,” Joshanloo further mentioned in the study. “It is less about merely settling into routines or being passively benevolent, and more about active pursuit and exploration.” Generativity is mostly about taking the initiative to shape one's social environment so one becomes capable of building meaningful connections with others. “This proactive approach challenges negative perceptions of aging that often portray later life as a period of stagnation or decline. By engaging in generative behaviors, older adulthood can become a vibrant and dynamic phase marked by activity, growth, and impact on others,” Joshanloo concluded.