Validation of the Generative Motives Scale to Measure Generativity Among Midlife Grandparent Caregivers in Urban China

The study aims to test the psychometric properties of the Generative Motives Scale (GMS) among mid-older grandparent caregivers in urban China. Multistage cluster random sampling yielded a total of 618 grandparent caregivers (mean age = 60.46 years, 74.9% female) of children from nine kindergartens. We used EFA and CFA to determine the factor structure and checked measurement invariance across gender, age, and migration status subgroups. The revised GMS with three subscales of Symbolic Immortality, Feeling Needed, and Meeting Expectations had high reliability (α = 0.93) and sufficient validity (measurement invariant in subsamples). Also, migrant grandparent caregivers showed significantly lower generative motives scores than locals. Overall, this study contributed to the cross-cultural study of generativity theory and grandparenting practice by validating a reliable instrument on generative motives among mid-older grandparent caregivers in urban China.