Middle Adulthood Personality & Sociocultural Development Generativity Midlife Crisis A Unique Generation Marriage/Divorce/Remarriage Work Change

Erik Erikson Generativity Versus Stagnation (Self-Absorption)

Generativity People Act within 3 Domains 1- Procreative Domain By giving and responding to the needs of the next generation 2- Productive Domain By integrating work with family life and caring for the next generation 3- Creative Domain By contributing to society on a larger scale

Stagnation Self-Absorption People focus on the triviality of their life, and feel that they have made only a limited contribution to the world. People devalue whatever accomplishments they have.

Robert Peck (1968) 7 Issues of Adult Conflict Middle Adulthood 1- Valuing wisdom vs. valuing physical powers. 2- Socializing vs. sexualizing in human relationships 3- Cathectic (emotional) flexibility vs. cathectic impoverishment 4- Mental flexibility vs. mental rigidity.

Robert Peck (1968) 7 Issues of Adult Conflict Older Adulthood 1- Ego differentiation vs. work-role preoccupation 2- Body transcendence vs. body preoccupation 3- Ego transcendence vs. ego preoccupation

George Vaillant Middle adulthood is “keeping the meaning vs. rigidity” Adults seek to extract the meaning from their lives by accepting the strengths and weaknesses of others. Those who are rigid become increasingly isolated from others.

Daniel Levinson Early Adulthood (20s) – leaving the family and having “the dream” Late 30s – men settle down and establish themselves moving toward the dream Between 40 & 45 – people move into “the midlife transition” or a time of questioning

Daniel Levinson Between 40 & 45 – people move into “the midlife transition” or a time of questioning They focus on finite nature of life They realize they will not live forever They concentrate on the present They begin to doubt the value of their accomplishments They experience their first signs of aging

Daniel Levinson This period of assessment may lead to a MIDLIFE CRISIS, a stage of uncertainty and indecision brought about by the realization that life is finite. Success: taking new roles, mentoring younger children, and changing careers Failure: stagnation and decline

Well-Being in Midlife Carol Ryff 1- Self-Acceptance 2- Positive Relations with People 3- Autonomy 4- Environmental Mastery 5- Purpose in Life 6- Personal Growth

What is your dream? Have you accomplished it? What are the factors that will help you avoid midlife crisis?

Men and Middle Age Four General Paths 1- Transcendent – generative man 2- pseudo developed man 3- A man in midlife crisis 4- Punitive – disenchanted man

Four Types of Midlife Women Terri Apter (1995) 1- Traditional women 2- Innovative women 3- Expansive women 4- Protesters

Menopause Marks the point at which a traditional pregnancy is no longer possible. Marks the ceasing of menstruation The production of estrogen and progesterone begin to drop

Symptoms with the Change in Hormone Production Aching joints Feeling of dizziness Heart palpitations Severe distress Hot flashes

Estrogen Replacement Therapy Pros Cons Reduces hot flashes Reduces loss of skin elasticity Decreases the thinning of the bones May reduce risk of osteoporosis May reduce the risk of stroke and colon cancer May slow the mental deterioration in Alzheimer’s Reduces coronary heart disease Risk of breast cancer rises More incidents of cancer of the uterine lining Increases in benign fibroid tumors in the uterus Associated with abnormal blood clots

Does menopause produce psychological problems? Expectations Culture

Can women get pregnant after menopause?

Group Activity Assign a doctor in each group. Discuss the family history of each woman regarding: stroke, heart disease, colon cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, high cholesterol, cancer in the uterine lining, breast cancer Decide whether these women should go for estrogen replacement therapy or not.

A Unique Generation The Kinkeepers The Empty Nest Syndrome The Sandwich Generation Boomerang Children Grandparenting

Three Types of Grandparents 1- Involved 2- Companionate 3- Remote

Four Symbolic Roles for Grandparents 1- Being There 2- Family National Guard 3- Arbitrator 4- Maintaining the Family’s Biography

Satisfaction in Marriage The frequent pattern is U-shaped Marital satisfaction begins to decline after marriage It falls to its lowest point following the birth of children It begins to grow after the children leave adolescence It reaches its highest when the kids have left home

Myths of Marriage Everything will work out fine if we love each other. Always consider the other person first. Emphasize the positive; keep criticisms to oneself. If things go wrong, focus on the future. See oneself as a couple first and then as an individual. What’s mine is yours. Marriage makes people happier than they were before. What is best for the children will be best for us.

Myths of Divorce Because we no longer love each other, nothing can work out any more. Always consider oneself first. Emphasize the negative and criticize everything If things go wrong, focus on the past. See oneself as an individual first and then as part of a couple. What’s yours is mine. Divorce makes people unhappy. What is best for us must be devastating for the children

Divorce The breakup of marriage is usually the culmination of a long process of emotional distancing. The final decision is usually done by one partner. Divorce is usually associated with misconception of marriage. Divorce is usually conceived as a kind of failure. Divorced men and women have higher rates of alcoholism, physical illness, and depression. Divorced men have the highest rate of remarriage.

Job Change and Stress Individuals often react to career loss in ways that are similar to the grief response triggered by the death of a loved one. Shock and disbelief Anger and protest Bargaining Depression

Job Change and Stress Individuals often react to career loss in ways that are similar to the grief response triggered by the death of a loved one. Shock and disbelief Anger and protest Bargaining Depression

Job Change and Stress Job loss is more difficult for middle-aged people. They may have more identity invested in it/ They may be the target of age discrimination. They may have to take a job that is lower in status and pay.

Job Change and Stress Burnout and emotional exhaustion Working hard to attain a goal and failing to do so. Lack of extrinsic or intrinsic reward. Being realistic minimizes burn out.

Research shows that older workers have less absenteeism, hold their jobs longer, are more reliable, and more willing to learn new skills. Who would you rather hire Young adults middle-aged adults old adults