Developmental Psychology
Early & Middle Adulthood
Lecture 18
12-04-00
Outline
Parenthood
Divorce & Remarriage
Physical Changes in Adulthood
Survey of Midlife Social Changes
Social Changes
Family Changes
Parenthood
Timing & Choices
Consequences for Lifestyles
Advantages & Disadvantages
Care of Children & Parents Simultaneously
Delayed Parenthood
Advantages
More time, money, knowledge
More time as a couple to develop
Disadvantages
Aging parents out of synch with peers
Caught in life-cycle squeeze
Joys of Parenthood
Emotional ties to children
Fun with kids
Self-fulfillment/generativity
Sense of maturity and belongingness
Stress of Parenthood
Loss of freedom, flexibility
Loss of romance & spontaneity
Loss of income
Arguments over careers, finances, in-laws, responsibilities
Typical Reasons for Divorce
Incompatibility
Family conflicts
Economic stress
Loss of intimacy/passion/commitment
Infidelity
Abuse
Why Has Divorce Rate Increased in Past 50 Years?
Unrealistic expectations about marriage
Fewer legal obstacles
Less social stigma
Women are more financially independent
Phases of Divorce
Separation
Adjustment
Reconstruction
Consequences on Children
Anxiety, blame, anger - may persist for 10+ years for one third of children
Adolescents who experience divorce are more negatively affected
Sons have more problems than daughters usually
Same-sex custodial arrangements are better
Income & post-divorce relations can lead to stress
Remarriage
40% of all marriages are re-marriages
60% of remarriages end in divorce
Partners are older, more stable, and may have more realistic expectations
Middle Age
When does it begin?
Is it a time of crisis?
Is it an attitude?
Physical Changes in Young Adulthood
Peak performance at 19-26
After 30, declining muscle tone & strength
Basal metabolism rate declines, and if diet is constant, weight gain begins
Unhealthy habits, poor diet, lack of exercise, alcohol abuse, addiction tend to increase with stress in adulthood
Physical Changes in Middle Age
Cardiovascular problems due to increased cholesterol and reduced blood flow
Visual problems because of reduced blood flow to eyes, loss of retinal sensitivity, & loss of lens flexibility
Auditory loss to high-pitched sounds; greater in men than women
Physical Changes in Middle Age
Anxiety increases about:
Appearance
Physical stamina
Cognitive changes
MacArthur Research on Midlife Development (1996)
Survey of >7,000 adults, 25-74 yrs old
People underestimate health risks
Sense of control = health & happiness
Most well-adjusted were women and adults with more education & high status jobs
People tend to be socially responsible
Discrimination jeopardizes health
Changes in Perceived
Well-Being
From young adulthood to old age,
Positive relations with others and environmental mastery INCREASE but
Personal growth and sense of purpose in life DECREASE
Health & Lifestyles
Healthy vs unhealthy habits
"Hardiness" = commitment, control, & see
problems as challenges
Exercise
Sexual changes & menopause
Effects of stress
Social Changes
Gender Differences in Work & Careers
Cohort Effects
Midlife Crises
Keys to Avoid Crises
Anticipated changes
Perception of "on-time" changes
Social supports
Coping skills
Midlife Crises? No
Personality remains stable throughout adulthood (McCrae & Costa, 1994)
From 20-30, adults become less emotional and thrill-seeking; few changes after 30 in personality traits
Test-retest correlations on personality tests range from r=.60 to .80, even after 30 years
Stability applies to everyone except psychiatric patients and those suffering dementia
Family Changes
Family composition & demands
Marital satisfaction
Divorce
Life-cycle squeeze
Empty nest
Grandparenting
Conclusions
Midlife requires continual adjustment to changes in:
Physical health
Family responsibilities
Career opportunities
Lifestyle
Search for personal meaning