Generativity across adulthood: how nature exposure and future time perspective shape motivation for social and ecological engagement

Abstract

Objective The motivation to leave a legacy for future generations and society’s continuity is an important aspect of adult development. However, the shorter time horizon that comes with ageing might lead to prioritising more immediately rewarding goals than long-term society-beneficial (e.g., climate-proactive) goals. This study investigates the role of nature exposure and future time perspective, as well as their joint interplay in the context of social and ecological generativity across adulthood.Method In total, 115 individuals aged 18–85 years (M = 38.10 years, SD = 16.53 years, age-range 18-85; 67% female) participated in an experience sampling study and reported their future time perspective and social and ecological generativity at the baseline, and nature exposure in their daily situations.Results The results of the analyses using aggregated data set showed that nature exposure facilitates the concern for future generations and the environment in middle-aged and older (but not in younger) adults with shorter future time perspective.Conclusion Nature exposure can be used to enhance motivation for societal involvement in middle and older adulthood, which in turn could contribute to the well-being and sustainability of future generations.

Keywords

• Social generativity
• ecological generativity
• nature exposure
• future time perspective
• adulthood