The generativity as a way of successful aging. Study of the mediating effect of social relationships

Abstract

In this paper are analyzed the effects of generativity on both perceived and objective health as well as the possible mediating role in this model of the structure of social relations. The participants are 168 people over 60 years old (83 men and 85 women). Obtained results indicate direct effects on health generativity. This influence persists even when is controlled the effect of structural aspects of social relations classified by the Convoy Relationship Model. Additionally, our results indicate a significant mediating effect of the relationship structure on the generativity-health axis. However, this mediating effect does not occur uniformly and consistently in the different circles of convoy relationships. Our data converge with previous research suggesting the importance of the relationship between generativity and health but going further because our simultaneous study of the structural aspects of social networks. Our results allow going further in the understanding of generativity-health relationship.