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Feeling Older can be Advantageous: A Study on Generativity, Meaning in Work and Life Satisfaction in Israeli Workplaces

Author

Listed:
  • Sagit Shilo-Levin

    (Bar-Ilan University)

  • Amit Shrira

    (Bar-Ilan University)

  • Yaakov Hoffman

    (Bar-Ilan University)

Abstract

The current study examined a model whereby the link between generativity and life satisfaction is mediated via meaning in work. Further we wished to assess if this mediation model would be moderated both by employees' chronological and subjective age. Namely although for persons who are older this model should hold irrespective of one' subjective age, for young adults, only those who have an older subjective age should show the benefits associated with increased generativity. The study sampled 654 employees from a variety of companies (mean age = 37.34, SD = 12.01). Participants completed questionnaires assessing generativity, meaning in work, life satisfaction, and subjective age. The mediation model was significant, i.e., the generativity-life satisfaction link was mediated via meaning in work. Moreover, while this model was evident for older employees, in accordance with the hypothesis, it was only true for young employees who had an older subjective age. Generativity in the workplace is advantageous both to the employer and employee, even for young workers who hold an older age identity. One's subjective age may be quite informative in the work context, as it may reflect motivations related to a different developmental stage, which may be advantageous to the worker and to the organization.

Suggested Citation

  • Sagit Shilo-Levin & Amit Shrira & Yaakov Hoffman, 2021. "Feeling Older can be Advantageous: A Study on Generativity, Meaning in Work and Life Satisfaction in Israeli Workplaces," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(7), pages 2873-2887, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:22:y:2021:i:7:d:10.1007_s10902-020-00344-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-020-00344-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anna E Kornadt & Thomas M Hess & Peggy Voss & Klaus Rothermund, 2018. "Subjective Age Across the Life Span: A Differentiated, Longitudinal Approach," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 73(5), pages 767-777.
    2. Giverny De Boeck & Nicky Dries & Hans Tierens, 2019. "The Experience of Untapped Potential: Towards a Subjective Temporal Understanding of Work Meaningfulness," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 56(3), pages 529-557, May.
    3. Hong Zhang & Kaiyuan Chen & Changkai Chen & Rebecca Schlegel, 2019. "Personal Aspirations, Person-Environment Fit, Meaning in Work, and Meaning in Life: A Moderated Mediation Model," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(5), pages 1481-1497, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Justyna Wiktorowicz & Izabela Warwas & Dariusz Turek & Iwa Kuchciak, 2022. "Does generativity matter? A meta-analysis on individual work outcomes," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 19(4), pages 977-995, December.

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