The Development of Generativity Across Adulthood

This volume brings together experts in generativity and related fields to provide a compelling overview of contemporary research and theory on this topic. Generativity refers to a concern for - or acting towards - the benefit of future generations as a legacy of the self; it has implications for outcomes at the individual, relational and social, and broader societal levels. Understanding the role and expressions of generativity at various stages of our lives is important to our sense of well-being and purpose, and it impacts our parenting, caregiving, and social relationships, as well as having implications for our activities and experiences in the workforce, and in voluntary activities in our communities and the wider society.

The chapters in this volume explore the meaning and impact of generativity across development and across life contexts and roles. They address generativity within a particular area or life domain, or period of the lifespan, and outline key methods and findings, as well as theoretical issues and applied implications. The volume represents the first comprehensive exploration of generativity from early to late adulthood; it offers a broad international perspective and will inform research into generativity across multiple cultures.

Feliciano Villar, Professor of Developmental Psychology, University of Barcelona, Heather L. Lawford, Professor of Psychology, Bishop’s University, Michael W. Pratt, Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University

Feliciano Villar is Professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Barcelona. His research focuses on the psychology of aging, and particularly on the determinants and social and personal consequences of older people’s participation in and contributions to their families and communities. He is the author of several books and over 100 papers in peer-reviewed international journals, and has been a visiting research scholar at institutions include the University of Oxford, Wilfrid Laurier University, the University of Twente, and the National Autonomous University of Mexico.

Heather L. Lawford is Professor of Psychology and Canada Research Chair in Youth Development at Bishop’s University. She received her Master’s from Wilfrid Laurier University and her PhD from Concordia University, after which she pursued a post-doctoral fellowship at Brock University. Since 2017 she has also served as Co-Director of the Centre of Excellence for Youth Engagement at the Students Commission of Canada, where she partners with youth and community leaders in putting research on youth generativity and engagement into action.

Michael W. Pratt is Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University. His research interests include a range of topics in developmental psychology including generativity, the life story, parenting and grandparenting, and environmentalism and the future of the planet. He also spearheaded a longitudinal transition to adulthood study called ’The Futures Study’ that spanned over 15 years and resulted in number of important publications. He is the co-author, with M. Kyle Matsuba, of The Life Story, Domains of Identity, and Personality Development in Emerging Adulthood (OUP, 2018).