The Unique Challenges of Middle Adulthood Chapter 13

Physical Changes & Health Appearance Wrinkles (connective tissues weaken) Gray hair (cessation of pigment production) Baldness Weight gain (due to BMR drop)

Physical Changes & Health Changes in bones/joints Loss of bone mass (severe: Osteoporosis) Caused by deficiencies: calcium, D, estrogen Leading cause of broken bones in older women More common in women Less bone mass, estrogen drop after menopause 65% of women > 60, all > 90 (20 million US women) Treatment: prevention via diet & exercise

Physical Changes & Health Changes in bones/joints Cartilage deterioration Arthritis: aching joints, inflammation Hands, spine, hips NOT wrists, elbow or ankles Symptoms cyclical Treatment: drugs and exercise

Physical Changes & Health Reproductive changes Menopause: cessation of menstrual cycle Begins late 40s, 50s Estrogen symptoms: hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness Somatic symptoms: insomnia, headaches, rapid heart beat, stiffness in neck or shoulders Vaginal walls shrink, thin, vagina decreases in size, vaginal lubrication decreases, external genitalia shrink Sexual activity still common and related to partner

Physical Changes & Health Treatment for menopause Hormone Replacement Therapy Estrogen & progesterone Benefits Reduce risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, alzheimer’s Risks Increased risk of cancer

Physical Changes & Health Men experience decline in fertility Sperm production decreases 30% between 25-60 Age 80 still 1/2 as fertile as 25 Enlargement of prostate gland Increased risk for cancer Gradual reduction in testosterone Erectile dysfunction

Stress & Health Stress: situation appraised as exceeding coping resources Major life events Daily hassles Coping involves attempts to deal w/ stress Stress depends on appraisals & coping

Stress & Health Events appraised differently at different ages Family issues more stressful mid-life Effects of chronic stress begin to manifest in middle adulthood Take time to impact health

Stress & Health Stress has many effects on our health Suppresses immune system, increases risk for CD disease, impairs cognitive function, raises cholesterol, causes angina, reduces estrogen in women, causes weight fluctuations, increases blood pressure, causes tension headaches...

Stress & Health Coping w/ stress Problem focused efforts Disclosure Moderate exercise Increases mental & physical health

Trait Units Trait: Consistent ways of behaving, feeling and thinking over time & situations Summarize, predict, explain Internal causes of behavior (traits) Assumptions: Continuous dimensions from low to high People have broad predispositions to respond

Big-5 Traits Adult personality Neuroticism Extraversion Openness (curious, creative, imaginative) Agreeableness (good natured, trusting, helpful) Conscientiousness (organized, reliable, disciplined) Traits stable during adulthood

Traits Are Stable Priorities Are NOT During middle adulthood priorities change Increasing concern over helping youth Generativity - ensuring success of youth Many avenues: parenting, mentoring, volunteering Characterized by: prosocial traits/behavior, express caring attitudes about others, well-being Stagnation - bored, indulgent, unable to deal with needs of children/youth

Gender Role Changes Middle adulthood males/females converge Both report more ‘feminine’ characteristics Nurturing, intimacy, tenderness, family concerns Data mixed Some report less feminine features In sum gender roles appear most similar in middle/old age

Mid-Life Crisis Is there a mid-life crisis around age 40? Most data suggests NO! Problems more linked with unexpected events rather than particular periods of life Unique challenges in mid-life Ego-resilient people handle them best