Intergenerational relations as a basis for the person’s successful personal development

Abstract

This article presents some of the results of a research devoted to the influence of intergenerational relations on personal maturity — in particular, how harmonious relations between generations in a family have a positive impact on the development of one’s personality, values, life experience and healthy self-esteem. The study sample consisted of 156 people aged 25 to 72 (92 women and 64 men). The respondents were divided into two groups, ‘parents’ and their ‘adult children’. The tools used included the ‘Self-Actualization Test’ (SAT) technique; the ‘Meaning of Life Orientations’ technique; the hardiness test adapted by D. A. Leontiev; the family environment scale adapted by S. Yu. Kupriyanov; subjective assessment of interpersonal relations ( S. V. Dukhnovsky) and semi-structured interview. The research results were statistically processed using the IBM SPSS Statistics 23 statistical software package. Data analysis allowed us to draw the following conclusions regarding the influence of intergenerational relations on the development of one’s personality: 1. Transferring values and experience: how the older generation passes on family traditions, moral principles and life experience to the youth, thus laying the groundwork for values and beliefs developed by the younger generation (adult children). 2. Mutual support and care: the role of mutual assistance and care in the family in the process of personal development for both the younger and older generations. 3. Developing communication skills: the positive impact of open dialogue and mutual understanding between generations on the development of communication skills, the ability to empathize and respect the opinions of others. 4. Building self-esteem and self-confidence: how support and acceptance from the family contributes to healthy self-esteem, self-confidence and successful socialization in the younger generation.