8.5. Conclusions and future research
Generativity is important for well-being from midlife onward
(Erikson, 1982) and prosocial behaviors can provide opportunities to
be generative. As demonstrated by this study, community cohesion
may encourage adults to engage generatively, as evidenced by the finding
that community cohesion predicted prosocial behavior despite age.
Given that community cohesion may provide a connection to one's
community and a desire to “give back”, this finding was not surprising.
The current study also demonstrated the importance of grit for older
adults' engagement in prosocial behavior. Given grit's contributions to
success, likely aiding in the successful resolution of Erikson's psychosocial
stages, and the fact that it may help older adults overcome health
and mobility obstacles, this finding was not a surprise. Grit may provide
an additional drive for older adults to overcome obstacles and engage
generatively.
The results of this study suggest promoting grittiness in older adults
may help ensure their continued engagement in generative activities
and promote healthy behavior. Future research should continue to explore
this connection and determine if grit is truly linked to generativity.
Longitudinal research could be beneficial in establishing these connections.
Better understanding of this connection could lead to a better understanding
of positive development in later life and the role that grit
plays in development and well-being. Longitudinal research should
also be conducted to identify whether the effect of grit on prosocial behavior
occurs as one ages, or if the findings from this study are due to a
cohort effect. Additionally, given that only a small amount of variance
was explained, results of this study suggest that there are other contributors
to prosocial behavior. Finally, future research should explore further
what contributes to engagement in these behaviors to help older
adults understand how they can remain generative by being prosocial.
This study presents new evidence regarding possible mechanisms
through which people remain generative throughout mid and later
life. Prosocial behaviors provide opportunities for people to be caring
and generative. Because behaving generatively is beneficial to wellbeing
throughout mid and later life (Shin An & Cooney, 2006), it is important
that future research discover additional ways to promote
generativity. Understanding what contributes to engaging generatively
will continue to benefit each new generation of middle age and older
adults.