Quilting as a tool in resolving Erikson's adult stage of human development

A qualitative study using McCracken's (The long interview, 1988) multistage process for data analysis examined how traditional women in Amish, Appalachian, and Mormon cultures express generativity through quilting. Using Slater's (Journal of Adult Development, 10(1), 53-65, 2003) description of epigenetic areas of development within middle adulthood, quilting was studied as a facilitator in the process of negotiating Erikson's stage of generativity versus stagnation. In semi-structured interviews, 30 women discussed the ways they expressed caring, pride, inclusivity, and effectiveness through quilting. Results show that quilting was used to work through each of the epigenetic areas and also show how art forms such as quilting may be used to promote development from middle adulthood on into old age.