Abstract

This study examines generational differences and life-satisfaction among a sample of adolescents. adults, and elderly. A total of 2,789 participants (1,298 male, 1,489 female participants, and 2 missing) of which 981 were adolescents, 1,661 were adults, and 147 were elderly, completed a survey developed by the present researchers, in addition to the self-efficacy subscales developed by Bandura (1997). The results indicated significant interaction between generation and gender. First, intergenerational conflict was greatest for female adolescents and elderly males. Second, male adolescents and elderly females were more likely to hold conservative values. Third, male adolescents scored higher than females adolescents on self-efficacy to control distressing rumination and resiliency, while such differences were not found for elderly. Fourth, for self-regulatory efficacy, males adolescents scored higher than female adolescents, while the opposite was true for the elderly. Fifth, female adolescents and elderly males were more likely to use mobile phones than their counterpart. For main effects, first, elderly perceived greatest intergenerational conflicts. Second, adolescents were most likely to hold progressive values. For life goals, social service was the highest mean for the elderly, while self-actualization was the highest for adolescents. Third, elderly preferred professional careers (e.g., doctors, professors), while adolescents preferred occupation in the entertainment sector (e.g., musicians, atheletes). Fourth, elderly were more likely to adopt coping strategies that emphasize avoidance or seeking social support. Fifth, the elderly preferred traditional sex-role differentiation, while adolescents preferred more egalitarian role obligations. For TV programs, adolescents preferred variety shows, and the elderly preferred drama. For music, adolescents preferred Hip-Hop and Rock 'n Roll, while the elderly preferred traditional and nostalgic music. For life-satisfaction, those with higher socio-economic status, self-efficacy beliefs, conservative values, and low intergenerational conflict had higher life satisfaction. Finally, those elderly who live in the extended family, rather than nuclear family, and those who had progressive values had higher life-satisfaction scores.