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Middle Adulthood

11. Middle Adulthood. Physical Development. Physical Changes in Middle Adulthood Changes in Sensory Abilities. Vision declines Lens becomes less flexible Rods and cones diminish in numbers Hearing declines—especially for high pitched sounds Cilia thin out Less flexible inner ear

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Middle Adulthood

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  1. 11 Middle Adulthood

  2. Physical Development

  3. Physical Changes in Middle AdulthoodChanges in Sensory Abilities • Vision declines • Lens becomes less flexible • Rods and cones diminish in numbers • Hearing declines—especially for high pitched sounds • Cilia thin out • Less flexible inner ear • Environment also plays a role

  4. Physical Changes in Middle AdulthoodChanges in Reproductive Systems • Climacteric—Fertility decline in midlife • Menopause—End of monthly ovulation and menstruation • Timing influenced by genetics • Variety of symptoms • Include hot flashes, headaches, and dizziness • Culture can impact symptoms

  5. Physical Changes in Middle AdulthoodChanges in Reproductive Systems • Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) • Severe menopause treatment • Effective at reducing symptoms • Strengthens bones and reduces colon cancer • Increased risk of stroke, heart attacks, and breast cancer • Over 60 advised against HRT

  6. Physical Changes in Middle AdulthoodChanges in Reproductive Systems • Responses • Typically enjoyed and welcomed • Men’s changes include lowered testosterone levels, sperm quality, and quantity • Possible evolutionary reason for no male menopause

  7. Health and DiseaseHealth Problems • Major health risks in middle adulthood include sleep problems, osteoporosis, cardiovascular problems, and cancer • Sleep problems • Common after 40 • Occurs with other problems as well • May not get enough sleep

  8. Health and DiseaseHealth Problems • Osteoporosis—bones become thin and brittle as a result of rapid calcium depletion • Estrogen loss increases risk for women not men • Genetics risk factor for osteoporosis • Lifestyle can have an affect • Diet and regular exercise are protective factors

  9. Health and DiseaseHealth Problems • Cardiovascular disease- leading cause of death among adults worldwide • Risk factors include high fat diets, smoking, lack of physical activity • Stress is another factor • CVD can be treated • Protective factors: exercise, weight, and aspirin daily

  10. Health and DiseaseHealth Problems • Second leading cause of death among adults • Prostrate and breast cancer most common • Genetic and environmental factors • Treatments include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery • Best treatment is detection

  11. Health and DiseaseMidlife Health and Later Development Figure 11.2 Vaillant Study

  12. Cognitive Development

  13. IntelligenceFluid and Crystallized • Two kinds of intelligence • Fluid intelligence—information processing, discerning relations and processing speed • Crystallized intelligence—accumulation of knowledge • Fluid intelligence rises and declines • Crystallized intelligence peaks in midlife

  14. IntelligenceThe Peak of Expertise • Expertise peaks in middle adulthood • Experience important • Allows for efficient processing of information • Leads to automaticity • A form of crystallized intelligence

  15. Information Processing in Middle AdulthoodSpeed, Attention, and Memory • Perceptual speed declines in middle adulthood • Decline in ability to focus attention • Disregard the irrelevant information • Decline in ability for divided attention • Not a large decline in memory tasks

  16. Emotional and Social Development

  17. Emotional and Self-DevelopmentSelf-Concept • Self-Development peaks: • Self-acceptance favorable • Identity seems more favorable • Increased autonomy • Collectivist cultures • May emphasize relations to others more than self-development

  18. Emotional and Self-DevelopmentMidlife Crisis • Jung credited with coining the term mid-life crisis • Levinson and Jung believed it a time of feeling confusion and turmoil • Research has failed to find consistent evidence of a midlife crisis • Negative life events can occur but not specific to middle adulthood

  19. Emotional and Self-DevelopmentGenerativity • Erikson’s theory—Generativity versus Stagnation • Generativity is the motivation to contribute to the well-being of future generations • Parenting, mentorship, tutoring

  20. Figure 11.5 Women’s Increased Identity Certainty and Generativity Through Middle Adulthood The identity struggles of earlier stages diminish by midlife and generativity also increases. Source: Stewart et al. (2001)

  21. Emotional and Self-DevelopmentGender Issues in Midlife • Midlife sees a decline in restrictive gender roles • India—Middle adulthood women gain position in the family and in religious matters • In many cultures women in midlife are still deemed unattractive • Cultures vary in women achieving status and authority

  22. Map 11.1 Gender Empowerment Measure The Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM) is based on women’s representation in positions of political power, the percentage of women in professional and technical occupations, and the ratio of females’ to males’ earned income. Which countries have the highest and lowest GEM? To what extent is GEM related to economic factors (refer back to Map 1.2)?

  23. Emotional and Self-DevelopmentGender Issues in Midlife • More opportunity but still not equal • High status tradeoff • Could cause frustration as women have to sacrifice family goals for status • Men more flexible in midlife • Marital roles more egalitarian but women still do bulk of household chores

  24. Social and Cultural Contexts of Development Family Relationships • Mid-life parents have young adult or emerging adulthood children • Unmarried adult children at home tend to be welcomed—Southern Europe and Japan • Adult children leaving the home is both sad and happy time—Northern Europe, U.S., UK • Returning home positive if there are goals • Parents still provide financial support

  25. Social and Cultural Contexts of Development Family Relationships • Relations with parents also vary • Traditional cultures may live with parents even if married • Europe varies based on region • Relations are mutually supportive • Health of parent plays a role in relationship

  26. Social and Cultural Contexts of Development Family Relationships • Becoming a grandparent is a new role • Daily household chores including childcare • Involvement influenced by distance, and relationship with in-laws • Daughter-in-law relationship important • Grandmothers tend to be more involved • Role tends to be enjoyed

  27. Figure 11.6 Marital Satisfaction and Years Married For most couples, marital satisfaction rises once their children grow into emerging adulthood and beyond. Source: Vaillant & Vaillant (1993)

  28. Social and Cultural Contexts of Development Love and Sexuality • Most divorce occurs in first 10 years of marriage • Midlife divorce tended to “fall out of love” • Many felt marriage over well before divorce

  29. Social and Cultural Contexts of Development Love and Sexuality • Midlife adults handle divorce stress better than younger adults • Women worse off financially • Most men will remarry, but only about 33% of women will

  30. Social and Cultural Contexts of Development Love and Sexuality • Nonnormative events may make midlife difficult for lesbians and gays • Coming out in mid-life can have positive effects and difficulties • Single persons in midlife express desire to be married • Tend to enjoy freedom and independence • Close friends are necessary

  31. Social and Cultural Contexts of Development Love and Sexuality • Cultural variation • Middle adulthood seen as a time of turning to spiritual purity • Most Americans remain sexually active • Hormonal changes may require assistance for both men and women

  32. Social and Cultural Contexts of Development Work • Job satisfaction peaks • More expertise • More authority • Acceptance of profession

  33. Social and Cultural Contexts of Development Work • Dissatisfaction can occur • Pursue new challenges • Glass ceiling (women) • Burnout • Involuntary unemployment can be disruptive

  34. Social and Cultural Contexts of Development Work • Globalization of work has increased some work instability • Shift away from organizational careers • Same job and same field for years • Shift towards protean career • Changeable and less linear • Middle adulthood more difficult to obtain these types of jobs • Education may also create separation

  35. Social and Cultural Contexts of DevelopmentCommunity and Leisure Activities • Time spent in middle adulthood includes: • Community involvement • Watching television • Socializing with family and friends • Going on vacations • Enhances cognitive and physical functioning • Better physical health • More likely to avoid burnout

  36. Table 11.1 Vacation Time in Developed Countries Source: Based on ILO (2011)

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