Loyola Generativity Scale

Understanding generativity

Generativity refers to the desire to contribute to the well-being of future generations through activities like caregiving, mentoring, or making a lasting impact. It plays a crucial role in human development, particularly during adulthood, as it influences self-esteem, a sense of responsibility, and overall life satisfaction. Generativity is also vital for positive aging, providing individuals with a sense of purpose and fostering meaningful community connections.

By assessing generativity, practitioners can gain insights into how individuals engage with their environment and society, considering their unique differences. Tools like the Loyola Generativity Scale (LGS) offer valuable information about a person's generative behaviors, which can help inform treatment plans and interventions to improve overall well-being, especially among older adults.

What is the Loyola Generativity Scale?

The Loyola Generativity Scale is a psychological tool designed to measure generativity—the inner drive and actions taken to contribute to the welfare of others. It focuses on behaviors such as mentoring, parenting, and community involvement, which are key aspects of adult development (McAdams & de St. Aubin, 1992).

The LGS consists of 20 items that individuals respond to using a Likert scale, capturing their attitudes and behaviors related to generative actions.  Widely used in research, the LGS helps examine the relationship between generativity and factors like life satisfaction, personal growth, and societal contribution. It is a valuable tool for both researchers and practitioners working with adults to understand their capacity for generative behaviors.

How to use our Loyola Generativity Scale template

Carepatron has created a free and fillable Loyola Generativity Scale template for easy clinical documentation. Follow these steps to get started:

Step 1: Download the template

Click the "Use template" button to access the scale via the Carepatron app, allowing you to edit it before giving your patient a copy. For an easy PDF version, choose "Download."

Step 2: Administer the questionnaire

Once you've downloaded the template, explain the purpose of the Loyola Generativity Scale to your patient and ask them to complete the questionnaire. Ensure they understand that the scale assesses their attitudes and behaviors related to contributing to the welfare of others, such as mentoring, caregiving, or community involvement

Step 3: Review the responses

Review their responses after your patient completes the scale to gain insights into their generative behaviors. This can provide valuable information about their sense of purpose, personal growth, and contributions to others, which are important factors in overall well-being, especially in older adults.

Step 4: Analyze the results

Use the results of the LGS to assess how your patient engages with their environment and society. Consider how generativity may influence their life satisfaction, self-esteem, and relationships. This can inform the development of personalized treatment plans or interventions to enhance their sense of purpose and foster generative behaviors.

Loyola Generativity Scale scoring and interpretation

The LGS measures individual differences in generativity, reflecting a person’s commitment to contributing to society and future generations. This self-report tool evaluates behaviors, inner desires, and narrative themes in autobiography to determine the extent of generativity in adults, particularly older people.

A higher LGS score suggests a strong sense of responsibility to benefit others, often linked to positive contributions through creative actions, teaching, or nurturing community ties. Lower scores may indicate limited generative behavior or reduced engagement in broader society.

Healthcare professionals can use the LGS to assess how clients find meaning in their lives, guide therapeutic goals, and support personal growth. This tool is grounded in social psychology, helping practitioners explore themes like self, family, and the desire to leave lasting legacies.

Next steps

After administering the LGS, the next step is integrating the results into your treatment plan. The scale can be a valuable tool to understand your client’s current sense of generativity, which is central to their personal development and well-being. Based on the score and responses, you can move forward with the following steps:

Identify key areas of focus

For clients with lower LGS scores, explore areas where they may feel disconnected from generative behaviors like contributing to others, creativity, or social responsibility. Tailor interventions that increase opportunities for generative action, such as volunteer work, mentoring, or teaching. This can positively affect their mental health and sense of purpose.

Implement behavioral strategies

Utilize strategies like self-report behavioral acts and narrative themes to help clients visualize their contributions. For example, engage them in exercises that allow them to articulate their life story and personality, identify key moments where they impacted others, and connect those moments to their current life goals.

Monitor progress

Revisit the Loyola Generativity Scale periodically to assess your client's generativity shifts. Changes in their LGS scores can indicate progress in their human development. Encourage clients to reflect on their behaviors and how they can create new avenues for contributions to their community or society.

References

McAdams, D.P., & de St. Aubin, E. (1992). A theory of generativity and its assessment through self-report, behavioral acts, and narrative themes in autobiography. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 62, 1003-1015