The Power of Legacy: How Leaving a Mark Enhances Life and Well-being

Legacy—the psychological drive to leave a lasting impact for future generations—serves as a critical source of mental well-being and pro-social behavior, according to research led by Beth Hunter of Bowling Green State University. This drive manifests through biological, material, and value-based contributions, helping individuals transition from death anxiety to reflection.

Beth Hunter, a professor and specialist in legacy research within oncology survival, states that most people do not consciously think about their legacy. However, Hunter asserts that every person leaves one, regardless of whether they realize it.

How do scientists categorize different types of legacy?

Researchers divide legacy into three overlapping categories: biological, material, and value-based. Biological legacy includes the transmission of genetic lines through children or the donation of organs and bodies to science.

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Material legacy involves the transfer of wealth, property, and physical objects. Value-based legacy focuses on the transmission of beliefs, culture, faith, and life principles, often passed down through behavior or recorded histories.

Did You Know? In 2021, the United States received more than 26,000 cases of full-body donations for medical science to assist in student training and the development of new treatments.

What motivates the decision to donate the human body?

While approximately 170 million people in the U.S. are registered organ donors, only a small fraction of deaths meet the criteria for successful donation. Some individuals choose full-body donation to provide “symbolic immortality.”

A Belgian study of over 100 body donors found that 57% were motivated by a desire to contribute to science. Another 16% of participants stated their decision was driven by a need to give their death meaning.

One specific example is activist Susan Potter, who donated her body to the U.S. “Visible Human Project.” Her body was frozen to -9.4°C and sliced into 27,000 thin layers to create a 3D “virtual cadaver” for digital anatomy studies.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the shift toward “value-based” legacies suggests a transition in how individuals measure success. When business leaders prioritize societal impact over simple profit, they are applying the psychological principle of generativity to corporate governance, potentially increasing long-term organizational stability.

Why does legacy planning impact psychological health?

Psychoanalyst Erik Erikson introduced the concept of “generativity” in 1950, describing the human need to care for others and contribute to future generations. According to Erikson’s theory, failing to develop this feeling can negatively affect a person’s later life and health.

What Is a Legacy Interview? Recording your stories so future generations know their family history

Researcher Kimberly Wade-Benzoni states that thinking about legacy allows people to move from “death anxiety” to “death reflection.” This process helps individuals find meaning in life despite the inevitability of death.

Psychologist Jesse Bering adds that the pursuit of legacy is part of a need to create a consistent life narrative. He suggests that people view themselves as the main character in their own story, with the “moral” of that story being passed to the next generation.

How could legacy thinking change future behavior?

Researchers suggest that consciously considering legacy goals during youth could improve quality of life and encourage pro-social actions. This mindset may lead to increased volunteering, environmental protection, and charitable giving.

In a medical context, the concept of legacy could potentially encourage more patients to participate in clinical trials. Some hospitals and hospices already use “legacy activities,” such as ethical wills or memory albums, which studies show may reduce depression and anxiety in terminally ill adults and children.

Business creators may also move toward models that prioritize positive social influence over short-term financial gain. Such a shift could result in a broader application of “symbolic immortality” within the corporate sector.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three main types of legacy?
The three types are biological (genes and body donation), material (wealth and possessions), and value-based (beliefs and principles).

What is the “generativity” theory?
Introduced by Erik Erikson in 1950, generativity is the innate human desire to contribute to the well-being of future generations.

How does legacy planning help terminally ill patients?
Activities like writing journals or “ethical wills” can reduce anxiety and depression while helping the patient conclude their life story in a meaningful way.

What do you believe is the most meaningful legacy a person can leave behind?