Professional Obsolescence and Well-Being of Middle-Aged IT Employees: The Mediating Role of Generativity

Abstract

The information technology (IT) sector of India stands as a pivotal player in the global technology landscape. IT employees have long faced unique stressors that are a function of their work context (Kumari et al., 2014). Gussek et al. (2021) presents an all too relevant problem for current IT professionals – skill obsolescence, the discrepancy between knowledge and skills of an employee and their job requirements. In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, skill obsolescence poses a significant threat, as without upskilling, professionals risk becoming irrelevant, hampering both their career growth, and satisfaction and well-being. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the following research questions a) “Does skill obsolescence (SO) predict the extent of well-being (WB) in IT professionals” b) “Does generativity mediate the relationship between SO and WB in middle aged professionals” as this is the age of grasping mastery and expertise in occupational domains which is hampered due to constant upgradation of skills. A sample of 83 employees (mean age = 45; M=72; F=11) was asked to complete three scales – Professional Obsolescence Scale (Chauhan & Chauhan, 2009), Psychological Well-Being Scale (Sisodia & Choudhary, 2012) and Loyola Generativity Scale (McAdams & Aubin, 1992). We analyzed data using Pearsons’ Product Moment Correlation, Multiple Linear Regression and Generalised Linear Mediation Model. Results indicated a significant negative correlation between professional obsolescence and WB (r = -0.476, p < 0.001), and professional obsolescence and generativity (r = -0.374, p < 0.001). The influence of professional obsolescence on WB was partially mediated by generativity.