Abstract
This cross-sectional study examined personal growth and meaning in life among mothers and grandmothers who recently went through
major transitions in a woman’s life. It investigated the contribution of the internal resources of perception of self (self-esteem)
and perceived characteristics of the situation (cognitive appraisal of threat, challenge, and self-efficacy) and the external
resource of perceived social support, as well as two background variables: age, and frequency of meetings between mothers
and grandmothers. Participants were 152 first-time mothers 6–24 months after delivery, and their own mothers who were first-time
grandmothers (n = 152). The results showed differential contributions to meaning in life and personal growth in the two generations,
indicating that the proposed variables can indeed explain growth and meaning in life in these life stages. They reveal not
only the similarities and differences between the response of mothers and grandmothers to these parallel life transitions,
but also how information about one generation may help explain the response of the other. The different patterns of associations
which emerged for growth and meaning in life are also discussed.
major transitions in a woman’s life. It investigated the contribution of the internal resources of perception of self (self-esteem)
and perceived characteristics of the situation (cognitive appraisal of threat, challenge, and self-efficacy) and the external
resource of perceived social support, as well as two background variables: age, and frequency of meetings between mothers
and grandmothers. Participants were 152 first-time mothers 6–24 months after delivery, and their own mothers who were first-time
grandmothers (n = 152). The results showed differential contributions to meaning in life and personal growth in the two generations,
indicating that the proposed variables can indeed explain growth and meaning in life in these life stages. They reveal not
only the similarities and differences between the response of mothers and grandmothers to these parallel life transitions,
but also how information about one generation may help explain the response of the other. The different patterns of associations
which emerged for growth and meaning in life are also discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Research Paper
- Pages 1-20
- DOI 10.1007/s10902-011-9291-5
- Authors
- Orit Taubman – Ben-Ari, The Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University, 52900 Ramat Gan, Israel
- Shirley Ben Shlomo, The Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University, 52900 Ramat Gan, Israel
- Liora Findler, The Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University, 52900 Ramat Gan, Israel
- Journal Journal of Happiness Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-7780
- Print ISSN 1389-4978