The Impact of Generativity Awareness on Mid- to Old-Age Smokers in China

Smoking remains a serious health threat to many mid- to old-age Chinese people. Many smoking interventions have been implemented in public areas, but smoking occurring in a private setting, such as at home, has largely been neglected. Generativity is based on evaluating the worth of one's life experience that can be passed on to others. This study evaluated whether generativity awareness can have an impact on smoking reduction. Five hundred and eight Chinese smokers were recruited and demonstrated their strong awareness of generativity, specifically general generativity (e.g., moral ethics), health-related generativity (e.g., living a healthy life), and smoke-free family generativity. The study showed support for a three-dimensional model for generativity, namely general, health, and smoke-free generativity. The three types of generativity varied in their effects on behavioral intention to reduce smoking and to encourage younger family members not to smoke. Family communication patterns also influenced behavioral intention to reduce smoking and to encourage younger family members not to smoke. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.