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, estrogenLeading cause of broken bones in older womenMore 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 cyclicalTreatment: drugs and exercise

Physical Changes & Health

Reproductive changes Menopause: cessation of menstrual cycle

Begins late 40s, 50sEstrogen symptoms: hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal

drynessSomatic symptoms: insomnia, headaches, rapid heart

beat, stiffness in neck or shouldersVaginal 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 & progesteroneBenefits

• 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/ stressStress 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, volunteeringCharacterized 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 mixedSome 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-lifeEgo-resilient people handle them best