Generativity and its relationship with well-being in older age: a Spanish adaptation of generativity scales

The study had two objectives: firstly, to translate into Spanish and adapt the original McAdams's generative concern and generative behavior scales using a Spanish older people sample; secondly, to study if generativity in older age is related to well-being. The sample was made up of 165 Spanish volunteers aged 65 and over. The scales were adapted through the translation-back translation method and were included in a questionnaire which also included the Satisfaction with Life Scale and an Orientation to Future scale. Results showed that the Spanish generativity scales had an acceptable level of reliability, similar to the original English versions. Whereas generative concern was related to satisfaction with life, generative behaviors did not. Both scales were related to orientation to future, being age a variable that mediates such relationship. Preliminary results of this pilot study emphasize the relevance of generativity in older age, and suggest that generative concern and generative behaviors are relatively independent dimensions, since their implications in terms of well-being are different.