The Redemptive Self. Generativity and the Story of Life at Midlife. Dan P. McAdams

Transcription

1 The Redemptive Self Generativity and the Story of Life at Midlife Dan P. McAdams Catholic University of Milan: Centre for Family Studies and Research -- Conference on Generativity 16 November 2007

2 The Foley Center for the Study of Lives Regina L. Logan, Ph.D. Brad Olson, Ph.D. Jennifer Pals, Ph.D. Jonathan Adler Michelle Albaugh Miriam Klevan Tiffany Simons Keith Cox Josh Wilt Matt Braslow Brooke Bielinsky

3 Generativity An adult s concern for or commitment to the wellbeing of future generations, as evidenced in parenting, teaching, mentoring, and engaging in life activities aimed at leaving a positive legacy of the self for future. (Sources: Erikson, 1963; McAdams & de St. Aubin, 1992)

4 Erikson s Eight Stages Infancy: Toddler: Preschool: School age: Adolescence: Young Adult: Midlife: Old Age: Trust vs. Mistrust Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt Initiative vs. Guilt Industry vs. Inferiority Identity vs. Role Confusion Intimacy vs. Isolation Generativity vs. Stagnation Ego Integrity vs. Despair

5 Selected Items from the LGS 1. I try to pass along knowledge I have gained through my experiences. 2. I think I will be remembered for a long time after I die. 3. If I were unable to have children of my own, I would adopt children. 4. In general, my actions do not have a positive effect on others. (reversed) 5. Others would say I have made unique contributions to society. (from McAdams & de St. Aubin, 1992).

6 Predicting Generative Behavior, Goals, and Autobiographical Themes from LGS N=79 N=152 N=253 Acts in 2 months.59***.53***.46*** Daily Strivings NA.23**.29*** Care/productivity life themes.40**.47***.27*** SOURCES: McAdams & de St. Aubin (1992); McAdams, de St. Aubin & Logan (1993); Hart, McAdams, Hirsch, & Bauer (2001).

7 LGS by Age Cohort Young Adult Midlife Older

8 Generative Acts by Age Cohort Young Adult Midlife Older

9 Generative Goals by Age Cohort Young Adult Midlife Older

10 Generative Memory Themes by Age Cohort Young Adult Midlife Older

11 Some Correlates of the LGS Parents involved in kids schooling (Nakagawa, 1991) Authoritative parenting style (Peterson, Smirles, & Wentworth, 1997) Passing on wisdom to children (McAdams, 2004; Pratt et al. 1999) Religious involvement (Dillon & Wink, 2004; Hart et al., 2001) Political participation (Cole & Stewart, 1996; Peterson, 2004) Volunteer work, giving time & money (Rossi, 2001) Friendship networks (Hart et al., 2001) Prosocial personality characteristics (Peterson & Klohnen, 1995) Psychological well-being (McAdams et al., 1998; Keyes & Ryff, 1998) Big Five: Hi E, O and A; low N (de St. Aubin & McAdams, 1995)

12 A Life Story Interview 1. Life Chapters 2. Key scenes: high, low, turning points 3. Important characters 4. Central conflict 5. Future script 6. Personal beliefs: an ideological setting 7. Life motif or message (McAdams, 1985, 2007)

13 A Turning Point Scene: Jerome Johnson It was at the time I was assigned to be the bodyguard for Dr. Martin Luther King. And he was here, I think maybe two, three days. And so I spent some time with him...

14 And we started talking, and I told him how frustrated I was about the fact that no black had ever been promoted. Maybe it s time to move on [I told him] because I didn t see there was anything that was gonna change at all. And he just said a couple of things, just very briefly he said, you know, he said, Never give up. And that was basically the end of the conversation, and I thought about that before, but when he said it to me, and the way he said, Keep the faith, you know, and Never give up, you know, and Never stop dreaming the dream, you know. And I held on to that, and I went on, and things changed. He turned me around from walkin out the door.

15 Redemption Sequence A bad or affectively negative (e.g., sad, frightening, humiliating) scene turns good or affectively-positive (e.g., happy, rewarding). The bad is salvaged, saved, redeemed by a positive outcome or turn of events. (McAdams, Diamond, de St. Aubin, & Mansfield, 1997)

16 Redemption Sequences of Highly Generative and Less Generative Adults Highly Generative Less Generative Turning Points Nadir Experiences Life Chapters

17 Correlations between Redemption Sequences in Life Narratives and Self- Report Measures of Well-Being in Midlife Adults (N = 74) Measure of Well-Being Life satisfaction +.37** Self-esteem +.28* Life coherence +.33** Depression -.32** *p <.05; **p <.01 (McAdams, Reynolds, Lewis, Patten, & Bowman, 2001)

18 Correlations between Narrative Themes and Self-Report Well-Being in Students Well-Being Redemption Positivity Life Satisfaction.42***.26** Autonomy Environmental mastery.27**.26** Interpersonal efficacy.25**.17 Personal growth.18*.17 Purpose in life.32**.20* Self-acceptance.37***.24* *p <.05; **p <.01; ***p <.001 N = 125. (McAdams et al., 2001, Study 2).

19 Early Advantage Redemption Moral Depth, Steadfastness Future Growth Suffering of Others Power vs. Love Distant Past (Childhood) Near Future (Later Adulthood) The Six Life Story Themes of the Redemptive Self

20 Redemption as Upward Social Mobility Rags --> Riches Benjamin Franklin and the American Dream From the poverty and obscurity in which I was born and in which I passed my earliest years, I have raised myself to a state of affluence and some degree of celebrity in the world. (1771). Horatio Alger, immigrant stories.

21 Redemption as Recovery

22 Interview with Newsweek (January 8, 2001): I grew up a little Negro child who felt so unloved and so isolated -- the emotion I felt most as a child was loneliness -- and now the exact opposite has occurred for me in adulthood. What I teach is that if you are strong enough and bold enough to follow your dreams, then you will be led in the path that is best for you. The voice of the world will drown out the voice of God and your intuition if you let it. Self-help, 12-step programs. Sickness, trauma, addiction --> the full actualization of the good inner self

23 The Redemptive Self: Good and Bad A story that promotes the commitment necessary for generativity. Resilience and psychological health. Self-righteousness: The chosen people; noblesse oblige. The tyranny of the true believer. Naivete: Is redemption always possible? Denial of tragedy (e.g., Alon & Omer, 2004).