Chapter 15: Middle Adulthood: Physical and Cognitive Development
The Unique Challenges of Middle Adulthood Chapter 13.
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Transcript of The Unique Challenges of Middle Adulthood Chapter 13.
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