The Development of Prosociality: Evidence for a Negative Association between Age and Prosocial Value Orientation from a Representative Sample in Austria

While the ontogeny of prosociality during infancy, childhood, and adolescence has received substantial attention over the last decades, little is known about how prosocial preferences develop beyond emerging adulthood. Recent evidence suggests that the previously observed positive association between age and prosocial preferences is less robust than assumed. This study reports results on the association between social preferences, age, gender, and education from an Austrian representative sample (N = 777, aged 16–94 years) in which incentivized social value orientations (SVO) were measured along with various other sociodemographic characteristics. The analyses confirm that men are less prosocial than women, however, mainly during emerging adulthood (16–25 years). At the same time, the decline of prosociality is stronger among women leading to a convergence of prosociality between men and women as they age. Overall, we find that a prosocial value orientation is negatively correlated with people’s age. We suspect that the susceptibility of peoples’ social preferences to the preferences of others in their social environment is a critical factor unifying these different observations in the development of prosociality. We hypothesize that the opposite associations between age and SVO observed in two previous studies using unincentivized measures of social preferences are explained in parts by an age-related change in social desirability, measurement inaccuracy (continuous vs. categorical), and cross-cultural differences promoting competitive preferences among emerging adults in Japan. Moreover, we find that political orientations towards right-wing populists are consistently associated with less prosocial preferences, while education seems to be positively associated with prosociality. Overall, our study highlights the importance of conducting representative studies using incentivized measurements across cultures.

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From Piggy Banks to Significant Others: Associations Between Financial Socialization and Romantic Relationship Flourishing in Emerging Adulthood

Journal of Family Issues ◽

10.1177/0192513x211057536 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 0192513X2110575

Author(s):

Ashley B. LeBaron-Black ◽

Matthew T. Saxey ◽

Toby M. Driggs ◽

Melissa A. Curran

Keyword(s):

Emerging Adulthood ◽

Emerging Adults ◽

Financial Distress ◽

Romantic Relationship ◽

Well Being ◽

Childhood And Adolescence ◽

Financial Socialization ◽

Financial Outcomes ◽

Financial Behaviors ◽

Relationship Outcomes

While a plethora of research has found that parent financial socialization during childhood and adolescence is linked with financial outcomes in emerging adulthood, recent literature suggests that financial socialization may also impact romantic relationship outcomes in emerging adulthood. Utilizing a sample of 1,950 U.S. emerging adults, we test whether retrospectively recalled parent financial socialization is associated with romantic relationship flourishing and whether this association is mediated by financial behaviors and financial distress. We found that financial socialization was positively associated with financial behaviors and relationship flourishing and was negatively associated with financial distress. Further, financial behaviors partially mediated the association between financial socialization and relationship flourishing, while financial distress did not mediate the association. Together with previous literature, these findings provide useful information for therapists and educators in their pursuit to promote robust parent financial socialization in childhood and adolescence and both financial and relational well-being in emerging adulthood.

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Mother–Father Dyad Conflict Strategy Clusters: Implications for Emerging Adults

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/0886260516683177 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 35 (1-2) ◽

pp. 319-340 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Cliff McKinney ◽

Courtney S. Walker ◽

Janet W. Kwan

Keyword(s):

Emerging Adulthood ◽

Emerging Adults ◽

Parenting Styles ◽

Adult Children ◽

Emerging Adult ◽

Psychological Aggression ◽

Parental Conflict ◽

Childhood And Adolescence ◽

Harsh Discipline ◽

Conflict Strategies

Research has examined the different parenting styles that are present during emerging adulthood; however, less is known about potential parental conflict strategies that emerging adults may be experiencing during this developmental time period. Conflict strategies are conceptualized in the current study as parents’ efforts to regulate, correct, or enforce a consequence in response to their emerging adult child’s behavior. Previous research on discipline during childhood and adolescence has suggested the use of harsh discipline (e.g., use of physical force) leads to negative outcomes for children. Despite evidence linking harsh discipline methods to harmful outcomes in various developmental periods and suggested influence of parents in emerging adulthood, very little is known about how parents handle conflict with their emerging adult children. Thus, the present study investigated parental conflict strategies and mental health outcomes of emerging adults. Results revealed a significant parent–child gender interaction for non-violent strategies and psychological aggression. Moreover, results indicated that emerging adult children of parents who utilize similar levels of aggressive methods reported greater psychological problems. The findings from the current study underscore parents’ use of conflict strategies when interacting with their emerging adult children, and further emphasize the importance of future research in this area.

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Proenvironmental Value Orientation Across Cultures

Social Psychology ◽

10.1027/1864-9335.40.4.222 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 40 (4) ◽

pp. 222-233 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Katja Soyez ◽

Stefan Hoffmann ◽

Stefan Wünschmann ◽

Katja Gelbrich

Keyword(s):

Internal Consistency ◽

Behavioral Intention ◽

Content Validity ◽

Representative Sample ◽

Value Orientation ◽

Value Orientations ◽

Student Sample ◽

Four Dimensions ◽

Structural Equivalence ◽

Subsequent Step

The present study develops and validates a German and Russian scale of proenvironmental value orientation. Proenvironmental value orientation is conceptualized as a four-dimensional construct, entailing egocentric, ecocentric, and anthropocentric value orientations as well as environmental apathy. The first stage of the research is an expert test of indicator content validity. In a subsequent step, the authors provide evidence of internal consistency for a student sample (N = 223) and for the structural equivalence and criterion validity for a representative sample (N = 430). The structure of proenvironmental value orientation appears to be largely equivalent in both cultures, though the behavioral relevance of the dimensions differs. In the Russian sample, proenvironmental behavioral intention correlates with any of the four dimensions, whereas in Germany, anthropocentric value orientation does not relate to behavioral intention.

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Happiness, Generativity and Social Preferences in a Developing Country: A Possibility of Future Design

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11195256 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (19) ◽

pp. 5256 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Mostafa E. Shahen ◽

Shibly Shahrier ◽

Koji Kotani

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Social Preferences ◽

Research Question ◽

Positive Association ◽

Sociodemographic Factors ◽

Value Orientation ◽

Social Value ◽

Social Value Orientation ◽

Subjective Happiness ◽

Future Design

Happiness, generativity and social preferences are pivotal factors for the betterment and sustainability of societies. However, little is known about the relationships among happiness, generativity and social preferences, along with sociodemographic factors, within a single analytical framework. We hypothesize that generativity and social preferences are the determinants of happiness, posing a research question “Are people happier by being prosocial and/or generative for sustainability?” We conduct a survey experiment, collecting data from five subjective happiness scales, generativity, social value orientation and sociodemographic variables in one urban area (Dhaka) and two rural areas (Bogra and Gaibandha) in Bangladesh. With the data, we empirically characterize determinants of subjective happiness with a focus on generativity and social value orientation, controlling for sociodemographic factors. The statistical analysis consistently shows a positive association between subjective happiness and generativity, irrespective of the type of happiness scale, while social value orientation does not exhibit any significance. Rural residents have lower peer relative happiness than urban residents, and household income has a positive relationship with general subjective happiness, leading each of these factors to be significant in overall subjective happiness. In summary, generativity, income and residence area are main determinants of happiness, implying that further urbanization, which is expected to occur in the future, will positively affect people’s happiness if it can bring about an increase in generativity. These results also suggest a possibility that people are happier by being more generative for sustainability, and some new institutional framework such as future design shall be recommended to enhance generativity.

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Suicidal ideation and psychological control in emerging adults: The role of trait EI

MALTRATTAMENTO E ABUSO ALL INFANZIA ◽

10.3280/mal2020-002002 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 13-28

Author(s):

Nadia Barberis ◽

Valeria Verrastro ◽

Federica Papa ◽

Maria Catena Quattropani

Keyword(s):

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Emerging Adulthood ◽

Emerging Adults ◽

Psychological Control ◽

Positive Association ◽

Study Results ◽

Relevant Role ◽

Internalizing Problem ◽

The Relationship

According to the literature, the suicidal cognitions may be seen as a consistent alternative in a situation of greater stress and emotional imbalance at any time of life like adolescence or emerging adulthood. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between sui-cidal ideation and psychological control by exploring the possible mediation role of trait emo-tional intelligence (EI). 263 female participants, aged 18 to 26, took part of this study. Results showed a positive association between suicidal ideation and psychological control, confirm-ing the toxic effect of this form of parenting that is consistently associated with maladaptive outcomes. Moreover, this study has confirmed the relevance of the trait EI as a mediator be-tween psychological control and suicidal ideation, following the data of the previous litera-ture, which also highlight the relevant role of the trait EI in the relation between psychological control and internalizing problem. Findings of the current study provide evidence for an inte-grative model of parental psychological control and trait EI in understanding the suicidal idea-tion in emerging adulthood.

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Generativity and value orientations during emerging adulthood: Moderating the role of loneliness

Vestnik of Saint Petersburg University Psychology ◽

10.21638/spbu16.2021.403 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 326-340

Author(s):

Maria Polyakova ◽

◽

Tatiana Kharitonova ◽

Olga Strizhitskaya ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emerging Adulthood ◽

Emerging Adults ◽

Social Relations ◽

Early Adulthood ◽

Value Orientations ◽

Practical Significance ◽

Differential Analysis ◽

Personal Boundaries ◽

Close Relationship ◽

Individual Value

The article discusses the concept of “generativity”, approaches to its study and its place in the framework of foreign and Russian psychology. The period of emerging adulthood is an impor- tant stage in the life cycle of a person, in which personal and professional identity is formed, close relationships, and an individual value system is created. Studies of generativity related to the period of early adulthood have shown that generative orientation is included in the value structure of a person and can be a leading motive. At the same time, this is a period of building social relations and searching for personal boundaries. The article presents the results of an empirical study where 203 emerging adults participated (17–24 years; M=19.58; SD=0.15), of which there were 23 men (11%) and 180 women (89%). In the study, it was hypothesized that in the differential analysis of values, generative orientation and generative actions can be associated with different values. The authors assumed that since loneliness reflects certain aspects of a person’s interaction with society, then at different levels of its severity the specificity of the ratio of values and generativity can also change. The following methods were used: Loyola Generativity Scale (LGS), Generative Actions List (GBC), Differential Loneliness Experience Questionnaire by E.N.Osin and D.A.Leontyev (DOPO) and the “Value Questionnaire” (CO) by Sh. Schwartz. Regression and cluster analyses were applied. The results of the study indicate a close relationship between generativity characteristics and the desire to maintain and preserve traditions (cultural, family, religious, etc.), as well as with a low level of feelings of isolation. It was revealed that generativity is associated mainly with values at the level of personal priorities, rather than at the level of normative ideals. Also, the relationship between generative orientation and hedonism, dependent on the attitude towards loneliness, is discussed. In the desire to avoid loneliness, an inverse relationship was revealed between the characteristics, while in the perception of loneliness as a resource — a direct one. The question is raised about the nature of the manifestation of generativity in people who feel dissatisfaction with interpersonal interaction. The practical significance of the study was that the data obtained confirm that with different severities of loneliness, the characteristics of generativity form different connections with values, which allows a more differentiated approach to accompanying the process of entering adulthood in practical and consulting work.

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Millennials as Emerging Adults

10.1093/oso/9780199324385.003.0003 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Barbara J. Risman

Keyword(s):

Social Science ◽

Emerging Adulthood ◽

Human Development ◽

Emerging Adults ◽

21St Century ◽

Millennial Generation ◽

Historical Context ◽

Growing Up ◽

Traditional Beliefs ◽

Gender Revolution

This chapter begins by providing a historical context for the Millennial generation. Growing up is different in the 21st century than before; it takes much longer. Given how many years youth take to explore their identities before they emerge into adulthood with stable jobs and committed partners, the chapter reviews what we now about “emerging adulthood” as a stage of human development. The chapter also highlights a debate in social science as to whether Millennials are entitled narcissists or a new civically engaged generation that will re-energize America. The chapter concludes with an overview of another debate, whether Millennials are pushing the gender revolution forward or returning to more traditional beliefs.

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Parent and Grandparent Relationships in Emerging Adulthood

10.1093/oso/9780199934263.003.0007 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Michael W. Pratt ◽

M. Kyle Matsuba

Keyword(s):

Emerging Adulthood ◽

Attachment Theory ◽

Emerging Adults ◽

Family Relationships ◽

Longitudinal Research ◽

Study Data ◽

Family Development ◽

Data Set ◽

Theory Framework

Chapter 7 begins with an overview of Erikson’s ideas about intimacy and its place in the life cycle, followed by a summary of Bowlby and Ainsworth’s attachment theory framework and its relation to family development. The authors review existing longitudinal research on the development of family relationships in adolescence and emerging adulthood, focusing on evidence with regard to links to McAdams and Pals’ personality model. They discuss the evidence, both questionnaire and narrative, from the Futures Study data set on family relationships, including emerging adults’ relations with parents and, separately, with grandparents, as well as their anticipations of their own parenthood. As a way of illustrating the key personality concepts from this family chapter, the authors end with a case study of Jane Fonda in youth and her father, Henry Fonda, to illustrate these issues through the lives of a 20th-century Hollywood dynasty of actors.

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Can Supportive Siblings Protect against the Risk that Stress from Feelings of Alienation with Parents and Peers Poses to Mental Health in Emerging Adulthood?

Journal of Family Issues ◽

10.1177/0192513x21993859 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 0192513X2199385

Author(s):

Muna Osman ◽

Dave Miranda

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Emerging Adulthood ◽

Emerging Adults ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Moderated Mediation ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Moderated Mediation Model ◽

Two Samples

Feelings of alienation with parents and peers can lead to psychological distress, possibly because such feelings are stressful. Supportive siblings are known to foster mental health in youth, but research in emerging adulthood is limited. We hypothesized supportive sibling climate as a protective factor in the risks that stress from parent and peer alienation poses to psychological distress among emerging adults. A proposed moderated-mediation model was tested, across three samples, using latent moderated mediation structural equation modeling. Results indicated that parental and peer alienation were associated with more psychological distress, and stress partially mediated the link between parental (but not peer) alienation and psychological distress in two samples. However, a supportive sibling climate was not protective as it did not moderate the links among alienation, stress, and psychological distress. In sum, siblings seem beneficial, but perhaps it is not sufficient to protect emerging adults’ mental health against stress from parent and peer alienation.

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Age-Related Association of Calcitonin with Parameters of Anthropometry, Bone and Calcium Metabolism during Childhood

Hormone Research in Paediatrics ◽

10.1159/000512107 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Juliane Sonntag ◽

Mandy Vogel ◽

Mandy Geserick ◽

Felix Eckelt ◽

Antje Körner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Formation ◽

Bone Growth ◽

Venous Blood ◽

Physiological Role ◽

Blood Levels ◽

Childhood And Adolescence ◽

Procollagen Type ◽

Child Study ◽

Age Related ◽

High Bone

Introduction: The thyroid parafollicular hormone calcitonin (CT) shows particularly high blood levels in early childhood, a period of high bone turnover, which decrease with increasing age. Data about the physiological role of CT during infancy, childhood, and adolescence are contradictory or lacking. Objective: We hypothesize that CT demonstrates age-related correlations with parameters of bone growth and turnover as well as with parameters of calcium homeostasis. Methods: 5,410 measurements of anthropometric data and venous blood samples were collected from 2,636 participants of the LIFE Child study, aged 2 months–18 years. Univariate correlations and multiple regression analysis were performed between serum CT and anthropometric indicators (height standard deviation scores [SDS] and BMI-SDS), markers of calcium (Ca) homeostasis (Ca, parathyroid hormone, 25-OH vitamin D, and phosphate [P]), bone formation (procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide [P1NP], osteocalcin), and bone resorption (β-CrossLaps). Results: CT was significantly associated with Ca (β = 0.26, p < 0.05) and P1NP/100 (β = 0.005, p < 0.05) in children aged 2 months–1.1 years. These relations were independent of age and sex and could not be confirmed in children aged 1.1–8 years. Independent of age, sex, puberty, P, and height SDS CT showed a significant positive relation to Ca (β = 0.26; p < 0.001) in children aged 8–18 years. Conclusions: Our findings suggest a unique association between CT and Ca in periods of rapid bone growth and point to a possible involvement of CT in promoting bone formation during the first year of life.

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