Middle Adulthood

Physical Development Ages Hair tends to gray & thin Skin begins to wrinkle Muscle tone tends to decrease Hearing loss starts Visual acuity declines Weight gain occurs

Physical Development cont. Female – Experiences menopause – Physical & emotional changes Male – Physical & psychological changes – Males never lose the ability to reproduce

Mental Development Mental ability increases Individuals have acquired an understanding of life Have learned to cope with many different stresses Become more confident in decision making & analyzing situations

Emotional Development Period of contentment & satisfaction, or a time of crisis Job stability, financial success, the end of the child rearing, & good health

Emotional Development cont. Stress, created by loss of job, fear of aging, loss of youth & vitality, illness, marital problems, or problems with children or aging parents Insecurity, anxiety, & anger

Social Development Family relationships decline as children begin their own lives & parents die Relationships between husband & wife grow stronger Divorce rates are also high