Adulthood & Career Development: Interaction with Disability Dr Sheppard-Jones

Stages of Adulthood Early Adulthood Middle Adulthood Late Adulthood

Psychosocial Development Early Adulthood Intimacy vs Isolation (18-40)  Intimacy – seek companionship  Isolation – no strong bonds Physical performance Exit parental home Live in relationship Career establishment Start a family

Some Difficulties Associated with Young Adulthood Relationships Parenting Offending Substance abuse Mental health Disability New roles

Psychosocial Development Middle adulthood Generativity vs Self-Absorption (40-60)  Generativity – care and planning for the next generation – efforts in the workplace to make a difference  Self-absorption “the wish to contribute to the welfare of the general community … and… community recognition of individual contributions was highly valued by many in the process of mid-life self definition.” (Kroger, 2000).

Some Difficulties Associated with Middle Adulthood Physical decline Decline in fertility Empty nest syndrome Declining career options Family roles change The halftime show

Psychological Development Late Adulthood (60s – death) Integrity vs despair Gains and losses

Ageism 1- Negative attitudes 2- Misinterpretation 3-Inappropriate interactions 4- Job discrimination 5- Misinformation

Stage Model Limitations and Possibilities Too simple Building blocks Three factors influencing our progress:  Nature of challenges  The past  Opportunities available Beckett

Intelligence in Adulthood As adults, the way that intelligence is measured isn’t based on IQ Gardner’s multiple intelligences

Theory of Multiple Intelligences Introspective/intrapersonal Interpersonal Spatial Bodily Musical Verbal Logical Mathematical Naturalist (Howard Gardner)

Models of disability Moral Medical Rehabilitation Social / Disability

Adulthood and Disability How might disability influence each of the following “milestones” of adult life?  Moving out of the family home  Ongoing sexual relationships  Financial independence  Having a family  Having a career  Contributing to society

Independence or Interdependence “Each person depends on others for food, electricity, transportation, postal services and many other components of daily life. A more appropriate goal is that of responsible interdependence…In this case, each person does what he does best and negotiates with others for the goods and services she needs to fill the gaps.” (Quinn, 1998)

Later On in Adulthood Disability prevalence increases with age