Skala zachowań generatywnych w okresie późnej dorosłości (skala Z-Gen)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/PBE.2026.002Keywords
generative behavior, Z-Gen Scale, older people, generativity, later lifeAbstract
Generative behaviors represent the manifestation of generativity as a desire to leave a lasting legacy and are undertaken under the influence of generative concern for others. This work includes a description of a tool designed to measure generative behaviors in older adults (the Z-Gen Scale).
The theoretical foundations, psychometric properties, as well as the methods for collecting and interpreting data obtained using the Z-Gen Scale, were analyzed. The scale consists of 10 items, each rated on a 7-point scale (1–7), where higher scores reflect a higher level of the construct under study. The Z-Gen Scale is characterized by satisfactory reliability and validity. Factor analysis revealed a three-factor structure of the tool (1) actions expressing concern for broadly understood future generations, (2) actions expressing concern for the well-being of another individual, and (3) actions expressing concern for the well-being of the community.
References
Adams, K.B. (2008). Specific Effects of Caring for a Spouse with Dementia: Differences in Depressive Symptoms between Caregiver and Non-Caregiver Spouses. International Psychogeriatrics, 20(03), 508–520, https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610207006278.
Akhter-Khan, S.C., Hofmann, V., Warncke, M., Tamimi, N., Mayston, R., Prina, M.A. (2023). Caregiving, Volunteering, and Loneliness in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Systematic Review. Aging & Mental Health, 27(7), 1233–1245.
Bandel, J., Soroko, E., Sękowski, M. (2023). Polska adaptacja kwestionariuszy Loyolska skala generatywności oraz Lista zachowań generatywnych. Psychologia Rozwojowa, 28(2), 63–79.
Becchetti, L., Bellucci, D. (2021). Generativity, Aging and Subjective Well-Being. International Review of Economics, 68(2), 141–184.
Brudek, P. (2016). Larsa Tornstama teoria gerotranscendencji jako teoria pozytywnego starzenia się [Lars Tornstam’s Gerotranscendence Theory as a Positive Aging Theory]. Psychologia Rozwojowa, 22(4), 9–25.
Brudek, P. (2021). Polska wersja Skali gerotranscendencji typu 2 (GST2-PL) Larsa Tornstama. Psychiatria Polska, 55(6), 1305–1325.
Brzeziński, J. (2005). Metodologia badań psychologicznych. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN.
Cheng, S.-T. (2009). Generativity in Later Life: Perceived Respect from Younger Generations as a Determinant of Goal Disengagement and Psychological Well-Being. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 64B(1), 45–54, https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbn027.
Cierniak-Piotrowska, M., Dąbrowska, A., Stelmach, K. (2023). Ludność. Stan i struktura oraz ruch naturalny w przekroju terytorialnym w 2022 r. Stan w dniu 31 grudnia. Głowny Urząd statystyczny, https://stat.gov.pl/obszary-tematyczne/ludnosc/ludnosc/ludnosc-stan-i-struktura-ludnosci-oraz-ruch-naturalny-w-przekroju-terytorialnym-stan-w-dniu-31-grudnia,6,34.html.
Curvers, N., Pavlova, M., Hajema, K., Groot, W., Angeli, F. (2018). Social Participation among Older Adults (55+): Results of a Survey in the region of South Limburg in the Netherlands. Health & Social Care in the Community, 26(1), e85–e93, https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.12480.
De Jong Gierveld, J., van Tilburg, T., Dykstra, P.A. (2006). Loneliness and Social Isolation. W: A.L. Vangelisti, D. Perlman (Eds.), The Cambridge Handbook of Personal Relationships (ss. 485–500). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Diener E., Emmons, R.A., Larsen, R.J., Griffin, S. (1985). The Satisfaction with Life Scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49, 71–75, https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa4901_13.
Di Fabio, A., Svicher, A. (2024). The Challenge of Eco-Generativity. Embracing a Positive Mindset Beyond Eco-Anxiety: A Research Agenda. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1173303.
Encyklopedia starości, starzenia się i niepełnosprawności. (2017). Red. A. Zych. Tom 1. Katowice.
Emmons, R.A. (2003). Personal Goals, Life Meaning, and Virtue: Wellsprings of a Positive Life. W: C.L.M. Keyes, J. Haidt (Eds.), Flourishing: Positive Psychology and the Life Well-Lived (ss. 105–128). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, https://doi.org/10.1037/10594-005.
Erikson, E.H. (1963). Childhood and Society (Vol. 2). New York: Norton. Erikson, E.H., Erikson, J.M., Kivnick, H.Q. (1986). Vital Involvement in Old Age. New York, NY: Norton.
Espanes, G.M. de, Villar, F., Urrutia, A., Serrat, R. (2015). Motivation and Commitment to Volunteering in a Sample of Argentinian Adults: What is the Role of Generativity? Educational Gerontology, 41(2), 149–161.
Fisher, B.J. (1995). Successful Aging, Life Satisfaction, and Generativity in Later Life. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 41(3), 239–250.
Ghislieri, C., Gatti, P. (2012). Generativity and Balance in Leadership. Leadership, 8(3), 257–275.
Grygiel, P., Humenny, G., Rebisz, S., Świtaj, P., Sikorska, J. (2013). Validating the Polish Adaptation of the 11-item de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 29(2), 129–139, https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759/a000130.
Herrera, M.S., Galkute, M., Fernandez, M.B., Elgueta, R. (2022). Grandparent-Grandchild Relationships, Generativity, Subjective Well-Being and Self-Rated Health of Older People in Chile. Social Science & Medicine, 296, 114786.
Hofer, J., Busch, H., Au, A., Polačkova Šolcova, I., Tavel, P., Tsien Wong, T. (2014). For the Benefit of Others: Generativity and Meaning in Life in the Elderly in Four Cultures. Psychology and Aging, 29(4), 764–775.
James, J.B., Zarrett, N. (2006). Ego Integrity in the Lives of Older Women. Journal of Adult Development, 13(2), 61–75.
Juczyński, Z. (2001). Narzędzia pomiaru w promocji i psychologii zdrowia. Skala Satysfakcji z Życia. Warszawa: Pracownia Testow Psychologicznych Polskiego Towarzystwa Psychologicznego.
Keyes, C.L.M., Ryff, C.D. (1998). Generativity in Adult Lives: Social Structural Contours and Quality of Life Consequences. W: D.P. McAdams, E. de St. Aubin (Eds.), Generativity and Adult Development: How and Why We Care for the Next Generation (ss. 227–263). Washington D.C.: American Psychological Association, https://doi.org/10.1037/10288-007.
Kim, S., Chee, K.H., Gerhart, O. (2017). Redefining Generativity: Through Life Course and Pragmatist Lenses. Sociology Compass, 11(11), e12533, https://doi.org/10.1111/soc4.12533.
Kim, E.S., Whillans, A.V., Lee, M.T., Chen, Y., VanderWeele, T.J. (2020). Volunteering and Subsequent Health and Well-Being in Older Adults: An Outcome-Wide Longitudinal Approach. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 59(2), 176–186, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2020.03.004.
Kossakowska, M., Kwiatek, P., Stefaniak, T. (2013). Sens w życiu. Polska wersja kwestionariusza MLQ (Meaning in Life Questionnaire). Psychologia Jakości Życia, 12(2), 111–131.
Kotre, J. (1984). Outliving the Self: Generativity and the Interpretation of Lives. Baltimore, Maryland: Johns Hopkins University Press.
Lang, F.R., Carstensen, L.L. (2002). Time Counts: Future Time Perspective, Goals, and Social Relationships. Psychology and Aging, 17(1), 125, https://doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.17.1.125.
Leffel, G.M. (2008). Who Cares? Generativity and the Moral Emotions, Part 1. Advancing the “Psychology of Ultimate Concerns”. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 36(3), 161–181.
Ma, Y., & Xing, T. (2024). Encourage Sustainable Consumption among the Elderly through Generativity. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 81, 104053, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2024.104053.
McAdams, D.P., de St. Aubin, E. (1992). A Theory of Generativity and Its Assessment through Self-Report, Behavioral Acts, and Narrative Themes in Autobiography. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 62(6), 1003–1015.
Melia, S.P. (2000). Generativity in the Lives of Elder Catholic Women Religious. Advances in Life Course Research, 5, 119–141.
Morselli, D. (2013). The Olive Tree Effect: Future Time Perspective When the Future is Uncertain. Culture & Psychology, 19, 305–322.
Morselli, D., Passini, S. (2015). Measuring Prosocial Attitudes for Future Generations: The Social Generativity Scale. Journal of Adult Development, 22(3), 173–182, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10804-015-9210-9.
Oleś, P. (2011). Psychologia człowieka dorosłego. Ciągłość. Zmiana. Integracja. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN.
Schoklitsch, A., Baumann, U. (2011). Measuring Generativity in Older Adults: The Development of New Scales. The Journal of Gerontopsychology and Geriatric Psychiatry, 24(1), 31–43, https://doi.org/10.1024/1662-9647/a000030.
Scott, R.K., Nadorff, D.K., Barnett, M., Yancura, L. (2023). Respect Your Elders: Generativity and Life Satisfaction in Caregiving Grandparents. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 96(3), 335–349.
Serrat, R., Villar, F., Giuliani, M.F., Zacares, J.J. (2017). Older People’s Participation in Political Organizations: The Role of Generativity and Its Impact on Well-Being. Educational Gerontology, 43(3), 128–138.
Shiel, C., do Paco, A., Alves, H. (2020). Generativity, Sustainable Development and Green Consumer Behaviour. Journal of Cleaner Production, 245, 118865, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.1188.
Snarey, J., Clark, P.Y. (1998). A Generative Drama: Scenes from a Father-Son Relationship. W: D.P. McAdams, E. de St. Aubin (Eds.), Generativity and Adult Development: How and Why We Care for the Next Generation (ss. 45–74). Washington D.C.: American Psychological Association.
Son, J., Wilson, J. (2011, September). Generativity and Volunteering. Sociological Forum, 26(3), 644–667.
Stanisz, A. (2007). Przystępny kurs statystyki z zastosowaniem Statistica PL na przykładach z medycyny, t. 3: Analizy wielowymiarowe. Kraków.
Steger, M.F., Frazier, P., Oishi, S., Kaler, M. (2006). The Meaning in Life Questionnaire: Assessing the Presence of and Search for Meaning in Life. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 53(1), 80, https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.53.1.80.
Stewart, A.J., Vandewater, E.A. (1998). The Course of Generativity. W: D.P. McAdams, E. de St. Aubin (Eds.), Generativity and Adult Development: How and Why We Care for the Next Generation (ss. 75–100). Washington D.C.: American Psychological Association, https://doi.org/10.1037/10288-003.
Szabo, A., Neely, E., Stephens, C. (2021). The Psychosocial Benefits of Providing Non-Kin childcare in Older Adults: A Longitudinal Study with Older New Zealanders. Journal of Health Psychology, 26(11), 1926–1938, https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105319893011.
Tang, F., Xu, L., Chi, I., Dong, X. (2016). Psychological Well-Being of Older Chinese-American Grandparents Caring for Grandchildren. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 64(11), 2356–2361, https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.14455.
Theurer, K., Wister, A. (2010). Altruistic Behaviour and Social Capital as Predictors of Well-Being among Older Canadians. Ageing & Society, 30(1), 157–181.
Timoszyk-Tomczak, C. (2017). Teoria gerotranscendencji – jej potencjał i ograniczenia [The Theory of Gerotranscendence – Its Potential and Limitations]. Gerontologia Polska, 3(5), 191–196.
Tornstam, L. (2005), Gerotranscendence: A Developmental Theory of Positive Aging. New York: Springer Publishing Company.
Tornstam, L. (2011). Maturing into Gerotranscendence. Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 43(2), 166–180.
Villar, F. (2012). Successful Ageing and Development: The Contribution of Generativity in Older Age. Ageing & Society, 32(7), 1087–1105, https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X11000973.
Villar, F., Serrat, R. (2014). A Field in Search of Concepts: The Relevance of Generativity to Understanding Intergenerational Relationships. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 12(4), 381–397.
Villar, F., Serrat, R. (2021). Aging at a Developmental Crossroad. The Case for Generativity in Later Life. W: F. Rojo-Perez, G. Fernandez-Mayoralas (Eds.), Handbook of Active Ageing and Quality of Life (ss. 121–133). Springer, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-58031-5_7.
Villar, F., Serrat, R., Pratt, M.W. (2023). Older Age as a Time to Contribute: A Scoping Review of Generativity in Later Life. Ageing & Society, 43(8), 1860–1881, https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X21001379.
Wiles, J.L., Jayasinha, R. (2013). Care for Place: The Contributions Older People Make to Their Communities. Journal of Aging Studies, 27(2), 93–101.
Witkowska, E., Fronczyk, K. (2009). Analiza właściwości pozycji testowych. W: K. Fronczyk (red.), Psychometria. Podstawowe zagadnienia. Warszawa: VIZJA PRESS & IT (ss. 161–179).
Witkowski, L. (2009). Rozwoj i tożsamość w cyklu życia. Studium koncepcji Erika H. Eriksona. Łódź: Wydawnictwo WSEZ.
Yang, F., Zhang, J., Wang, J. (2018). Correlates of Loneliness in Older Adults in Shanghai, China: Does Age Matter? BMC Geriatrics, 18(1), 300, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-018-0994-x.
Zimbardo, P.G., Boyd, J.N. (1999). Putting Time in Perspective: A Valid, Reliable Individual-Differences Metric. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 77, 1271–1288.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Agnieszka Kozerska

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Stats
Number of views and downloads: 111
Number of citations: 0