DIFFERENCES IN THE LEVEL OF LIFE ASPIRATIONS IN REPRESENTATIVES OF DIFFERENT GENERATIONS

Paweł KOT¹

Publication language: English

scientific paper

Guests Editors of the Issue Tomasz Herudziński , Wojciech Mincewicz

Transformations No. 4(127)2025,  Publication date: 30 December 2025

DOI: #ni3,  Article No. 20251230120151820

Keywords: generations, life aspirations, values

Abstract Life aspirations reflect an individual's unique identity and their relationship with the world, expressing an individually constructed vision of success and fulfilment. Preferred values may change throughout an individual's life, but also based on natural generational changeability. The aim of this study was to examine whether representatives of individual generations (Baby Boomers, Generations X, Y and Z) differ in the intensity of their life aspirations. The study involved 442 individuals (49.3% females and 50.7% males), aged 13 to 72 (M = 38.02; SD = 16.21), classified into four generations: Baby Boomers, Generation X, Y (Millennials) and Z. To perform the survey, the Life Aspirations Index was used. The analysis of variance revealed statistically significant differences between the generations in three categories of aspirations: psychophysical harmony, satisfaction of material needs and social relationships. The results show that generational affiliation differentiates the importance assigned to individual aspirational areas, suggesting the evolution of life goals and values across generations.

1. Institute of Psychology, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lu-blin, Poland

   ORCID: 0000-0003-1471-1228

   E-mail: pawel.kot@kul.pl

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