Middle Age Development

Middle Age Development

Middle adulthood (the developmental stage from the ages of 40 to 65 years) is characterized by productivity and responsibility. For most middle-aged adults, the majority of activity revolves around work and parenting, and success and achievement are measured in terms of career accomplishments and family life.

Physiological changes that affect many of the body systems occur during middle adulthood.

GENERATIVITY VERSUS STAGNATION

Erik Erikson suggests that middle adulthood encompasses the period of GENERATIVITY VERSUS STAGNATION, where people consider their contributions to family, community, work, and society.

Generativity Stagnation

Generativity is guiding and encouraging future generations.

Generativity may be leaving a lasting contribution to the world through creative or artistic output.

Generativity means looking beyond oneself to the continuation of one's life through others

self-absorption, caring for no-one The stagnant person ceases to be

a productive member of society. Stagnation means people focus on

the triviality of their life, and feel they have made only a limited contribution to the world, that their presence has counted for little

GENERATIVITY VERSUS STAGNATION

GENERATIVITY VERSUS STAGNATION

When an individual successfully resolves this developmental conflict, acceptance of age-related changes occurs. Achievement of the developmental task is indicated by the following:

• Demonstrating creativity

• Guiding the next generation

• Establishing lasting relationships

• Evaluating goals in terms of achievement

The evaluation of goals often leads to a midlife crisis, especially if individuals feel they have accomplished little or not lived up to earlier self-expectations.

During midlife transition…

They focus on the finite nature of life.They realize they will not live forever.They concentrate on the present.They begin to question some of their fundamental

assumptions.They experience their first signs of aging.They begin to doubt the value of their accomplishments.They confront the fact that they will not be able to

accomplish all their aims before they die.

During midlife transition…

Those who were less successful in dealing with the midlife crisis entered a period of stagnation or decline for the rest of their 40s.

Most people got through the crisis and by their 50s felt secure and looking toward a fulfilling future.

This research had a limited sample and was inconsistent.

Levinson claims women go through similar stages but have a more difficult time with "the dream“ stage because of inner conflicts over career versus family.

Gender Identity in Middle Adulthood 

Women: Increase in “masculine traits”Women more confident, self-sufficient, and

forcefulMen: Increase in “feminine traits”Men more emotionally sensitive

Midlife Crisis: Reality or Myth?

Midlife Crisis: Reality or Myth?

The evidence for a midlife crisis do not exist. For the majority of people, the transition is smooth and

rewarding. Many middle-aged people find their careers have blossomed. We may just pay more attention to the few who exhibit a midlife

crisis. The significance of middle age significantly depends on the

culture in which one lives Those experiencing regrets about their lives do better

psychologically if change is implemented By the time adults enter middle adulthood, most feel younger

than they are

3 major controversies involving personality development

Midlife crisisNormative-crisis versus life eventsStability versus change in

personality

Work and Leisure in Middle Adulthood

For many, middle age is the time of greatest productivity, success, and earning power.

The factors that make work satisfying undergo a transformation during middle age.

Middle-aged workers care more about the here-and-now qualities of work.

The older workers are, the more overall job satisfaction they experience

Job Satisfaction in Middle Adulthood?

Job satisfaction is not universal in middle adulthood.

Some people experience BURNOUT, which occurs when highly trained professionals experience dissatisfaction, disillusionment, frustration, and weariness from their jobs.

Leisure Time: Life Beyond Work

Most middle-aged adults have 70 hours a week for leisure time.

The average middle-aged person watches 30 hours of TV per week.

Some turn to charity, or community organizations. Many are learning to use computers and "surf the net". Increasing numbers are choosing early retirement.

Old Age

OLDER ADULT

Older adulthood is the developmental stage occurring from age 65 and beyond. Therefore, this section only highlights the concepts of growth and development as they relate to the older adult.

General Characteristics

More women than menBetter educated than in the pastPhysicall activeMentally alertPast childrearing responsibilitiesPast fulltime employment

Integrity Despair

Ego integrity is the result of the positive resolution of the final life crisis.

Ego integrity is viewed as the key to harmonious personality development; the individual views their whole of life with satisfaction and contentment.

The ego quality that emerges from a positive resolution is wisdom. Erikson (1982) defines wisdom as a kind of "informed and detached concern with life itself in the face of death itself"

Despair is the result of the negative resolution or lack of resolution of the final life crisis.

This negative resolution manifests itself as a fear of death, a sense that life is too short, and depression. Despair is the last dystonic element in Erikson's (1959, 1982) theory.

Integrity Versus Despair

Wellness Promotion

Health promotion activities should be implemented with the elderly to maintain functional independence.

Health promotion activities are aimed at maximizing the elder’s abilities and strengths. Specific topics that are developmentally appropriate for older clients are:

use of leisure time, increased socialization, engaging inregular physical activity, maintaining a positive mental attitude, and developing and maintaining healthy lifestyles.

Psychosocial tasks of older adults

• Developing a sense of satisfaction with the life that one has lived (to find meaning in one’s life)

• Establishing meaningful roles• Adjusting to infirmities (if any exist)• Coping with losses and changes• Preparing for death