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

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.