Chapter 16:
Physical and Cognitive Development in Middle Adulthood
Changing Middle Age
As longevity continues to increase
Definitions of middle-age keep changing
Middle-aged adults lead healthier and more active lives than any other generation in history
Each year, about 3 million Americans who have turned 50 join AARP
The median age of the U.S. population will shift from 33 in 1990 to 42 by 2050
Middle-aged baby boomers are of interest because
Of their increased numbers
They are the best educated cohorts in history
They are the most affluent cohort in history
For many, middle age is a time for
A decline of physical skills
Increasing responsibility
Transmitting knowledge to the next generation
Reaching and maintaining career satisfaction
Balancing work and relationships
A reassessment of lifes priorities
Physical Development
Noticeable midlife physical changes include
Wrinkling and sagging of skin
Appearance of aging spots
Hair becomes thinner and grayer
Nails become thicker and more brittle with ridges
Yellowing of teeth
Being middle-aged is perceived as positive for men and negative for women
Height shrinks in middle age, and many gain weight a
critical health
problem in middle adulthood
Age-related loss of muscle mass and strength can be reduced by regular exercise
Joint stiffness and difficulty of movement usually accompany a progressive loss of bone in middle age
The sharpest decline in vision occurs between ages 40 and 59 as the eyes blood supply diminishes
Hearing starts to decline about age 40, with men losing sensitivity to high-pitched sounds earlier than women
Midlife is often a time for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease
At menopause, a womans blood pressure rises sharply, remaining higher than that of men into the later years
At about age 55, lung tissue becomes less elastic; nonsmokers have the best lung capacity
Sleep has more wakeful periods, with more time spent lying in bed more tiredness in the mornings
Only 7% of people in their early 40s have disabilities, compared with 16% in their early 50s and 30% in their early 60s
Chronic disorders are
Rare in early adulthood but increase in middle age
Characterized by slow onset and long duration
Men have higher rates of fatal chronic conditions while women have higher rates of nonfatal chronic conditions
Stress is a key factor in disease, especially if cumulative
Acute stressors cause poor immune system functioning, but chronic stressors can cause an increasing weakening of the immune system
Emotional stability and personality are linked to health in middle adulthood the healthiest being the most responsible, self-controlled, and the calmest
Culture plays an important role in coronary disease immigration modifies healthy practices even as genetic predispositions remain constant
There is a stronger link between coronary disease and Type A behavior patterns than Type B behavior patterns
Hardiness is a personality style that can lessen the effects of stress when accompanied by regular exercise and positive social support, it can help maintain good health
Chronic diseases are the main cause of death during middle adulthood
Leading cause of death is heart disease
Second leading cause is cancer
Third leading cause is cerebrovascular disease
Although most menopausal women report having hot flashes and other effects, the majority of them felt relieved that their childbearing years were over
The average age for menopause is 51 but varies from ages 39 to 59 the majority of women remain sexually active and retain their femininity
Cross-cultural studies show that the menopausal experience varies among women
Postmenopausal hormone treatments have been linked to increased risk of stroke, dementia, and cancer
Testosterone levels in men gradually drop in middle adulthood decreasing sexual ability and activity, but several therapies and techniques can improve performance
Cognitive Development
Crystallized intelligence increases in middle adulthood, while fluid intelligence begins to decline
Some studies show middle adulthood is a time when cognitive functioning peaks, but the rate of information-processing decreases in most
There is controversy as to whether memory declines in
middle adulthood, but it is argued that a slowdown
in the learning of new information does occur
Memory decline is affected by
The types of processing strategies used
The amount of experience one possesses in an area of knowledge expert or novice
How often memory is used
Careers, Work, and Leisure
Work is central to ones life during middle age
In the U.S., about 80% of people aged 40 to 59 work
Midlife is a time of evaluation, assessment, and reflection about work roles and future goals
Overall, job satisfaction steadily increases throughout ones working life usually from age 20 to 60
This pattern applies to both men and women
This pattern applies to both college- and non-college-educated adults
As workers enter middle age, there is a greater commitment to work and less absenteeism
Currently, middle-aged workers face many challenges
Globalization and exporting of jobs
Rapid development in technologies
Downsizing and restructuring of companies
Early retirement forced or due to buyouts
Leisure is an important aspect of middle adulthood due to changes in relationships and career
In middle adulthood
Financial circumstances are improved
More opportunities for leisure are available
There are chances to diversify interests
Some research facts:
Men who take vacations from work live longer
Men who avoid vacations tend to have Type A personalities
Constructive and fulfilling leisure activities help individuals prepare psychologically for retirement
Religion and Meaning in Life
Some research facts:
A majority of middle-aged adults are religious and consider spirituality a major part of their lives
Spirituality significantly increases from the early 30s to the late 60s and early 70s
Females are more interested and active in both organized and personal forms of religion than men
Americans show strong belief in God and religion but show declining faith in mainstream religions, religious leaders, and the moral stature of the nation
Religion is linked to health:
Some religious cults and sects encourage behaviors that negatively affect health, such as refusing medications or ignoring sound medical advice
The effects of mainstream religion on health are mediated by other factors, but overall, there is a positive relationship with longevity
Religion may promote better health:
Physically: lowering blood pressure and muscle tension
Psychologically: supporting better coping skills
Some studies show religion
Decreases depression
Is associated with a sense of competence and control, freedom from guilt and worry, and an absence of illness
May or may not be related to ones happiness
Some coping may be affected by spiritual support that is related to personal adjustment
Religious beliefs can affect perceptions of pain or disability thus affecting decisions to seek treatment
Many have pondered the meaning of life the search may come after great personal losses
Frankl identified three most distinct human qualities as
Spirituality
Freedom
Responsibility
In middle adulthood, the reality of approaching death forces one to ask questions and evaluate the answers
Baumeister has argued that the quest for the meaning of life may be understood in terms of 4 needs:
Purpose
Values
A sense of efficacy
Self-worth