The associations between early generative concern, moral identity, and well-being in adolescence and early adulthood

ABSTRACT Generativity, defined as care and concern for future generations as a legacy of the self, is central to developmental success in midlife, though recent research suggests that it is also an important aspect of positive development to younger adults and adolescents. Following previous studies using midlife samples, in the current study we investigated whether generativity in early adulthood and late adolescence was associated with young people’s moral identity and well-being. Indeed, generative concern was associated with well-being, independently of moral identity. These findings suggest that generative motivations are important for well-being, not only in mid-adulthood, but also for emerging adults, and even when controlling for the role of moral development.