How does inquisitiveness matter for generativity and happiness?

PLoS One. 2022 Feb 25;17(2):e0264222. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264222. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Inquisitiveness (curiosity & acceptance to something and someone different) is the main engine for one person to initiate some relation, and the literature has established that maintaining nice relationships with friends, family and general others contributes to generativity and happiness. However, little is known about how generativity and happiness are characterized by inquisitiveness. We hypothesize that inquisitiveness is a fundamental determinant for generativity and happiness, empirically examining the relationships along with cognitive, noncognitive and sociodemographic factors. We conduct questionnaire surveys with 400 Japanese subjects, applying quantile regression and structural equation modeling to the data. First, the analysis identifies the importance of inquisitiveness in characterizing generativity in that people with high inquisitiveness tend to be generative. Second, people are identified to be happy as they have high generativity and inquisitiveness, demonstrating two influential roles of inquisitiveness as direct and indirect determinants through a mediator of generativity. Overall, the results suggest that inquisitiveness shall be a key element of people's happiness through intergenerational and intragenerational communications or relations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Happiness*
  • Humans
  • Intergenerational Relations*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science as the Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research B (19H01485) of KK. The publication procedure was partly supported by the research fund of JH from Kochi University.