Chapter 12: Midlife Robin Lee, Middle Tennessee State University

MIDLIFE: SETTING THE CONTEXT This stage typically runs from forties to the fifties.

EXPLORING PERSONALITY (AND WELL-BEING) Personality: No change (personality remains the same) Temperamental dispositions begin to stabilize by mid- twenties  Neuroticism  Extraversion  Openness to experience  Conscientiousness  Agreeableness Positive traits (agreeableness, conscientiousness) actually tend to strengthen with age.

WE DON’T CHANGE MUCH: EXPLORING THE “BIG FIVE”  Neuroticism Tendency toward mental health vs. psychological disturbance Resilient, stable and well-adjusted vs. hostile and high-strung  Extraversion Outgoing attitudes (warmth, gregariousness) Social and friendly  Openness to experience Tendency to be risk-takers, seeking out new experiences  Conscientiousness Industrious worker Hardworking, self-disciplined, reliable vs. erratic, irresponsible, forgetfulness Tend to live longer  Agreeableness Kindness, empathy, ability to compromise Pleasant, loving, easy to get along with vs. stubborn, hot-tempered, prone to fights

WE DO CHANGE: EXAMINING GENERATIVE PRIORITIES Generativity – focus on nurturing the next generation and enriching the lives of others If generativity is not achieved, stagnation occurs, having no sense of purpose in life.

IS GENERATIVITY THE KEY TO HAPPINESS DURING ADULT LIFE? “It depends.” (having a purpose and meaning in life)?

DOES ENTERING NEW STAGES OF LIFE OR HAVING SIGNIFICANT LIFE EXPERIENCES CHANGE PERSONALITY? Highly generative people rate their lives as much more fulfilling than non-generative people. Highly generative people have a positive impact on their children. Highly generative people report having positive childhoods.

HOW DO WE STAY COGNITIVELY SHARP? Healthy living (both mental and physical) − lack of major health concerns or illnesses Mental stimulation (with people) Finding a mentally stimulating partner and/or interesting friends that expand self Engaging in mentally enriching activities (e.g., reading, attending lectures)

BODY IMAGE, SEX, AND MENOPAUSE A myth is that middle-aged people may feel worse about our bodies in midlife; actually young women (as a group) feel worse about their bodies than middle-aged women! Female changes: Reach peak in the thirties Physiologically, there are far fewer changes, but many women give up having sex due to not having a partner (or not being seen as attractive). Male changes (by midlife): Trouble getting and keeping an erection Not able to have sex more than once in a 24-hour period. Erections not as intense Physiologically, men decline from a young age. Reason for sales of erection-stimulating drugs

MENOPAUSE Defining marker: not having menstruated for a year Cause: ovulation becomes erratic and then ceases Variable symptoms − Some women have less trouble; others have severe difficulties. Post-menopause − Vaginal walls thin and lubrication decreases. Major sexual consequence: Intercourse becomes painful. Effects on desire: also varies  Some women report feeling sexier when they don’t need to use contraception.