Middle Adulthood M I C H A L E S F E R R A T E X A S A M U N I V E R S I T Y 4 9 2 0 2 1 Physical Changes continued Changes in Sexual Function Fertility declines in men and women during midlife Transition is referred to as climacteric Women Women Menopause in late forties early fifties i e menstrual periods cease Perimenopause transitional period 10 years from normal menstrual periods to no menstrual periods at all Dramatic decline in production of estrogen by the ovaries Can be accompanied by depression headaches moodiness hot flashes nausea fatigue Not the highly negative experience it is stereotyped to be Few women have significant severe physical or psychological problems Loss of fertility and the biological clock Men Men Do not experience a menopause equivalent in that do not completely lose their fertility in middle age Modest decline in sexual hormone levels and sexual activity in 50s 60s Decline in hormones sperm over time but not as dramatic as women Erectile dysfunction ED becomes more common as men age 8 20 29 11 30 39 50 40 70s 75 over 70 Risk factors related to age Diabetes obesity hypertension atherosclerosis lowering testosterone levels Other risk factors Depression anxiety lack of exercise smoking Many risk factors tied to functioning of circulatory system Sexual Behavior Biological ability still largely intact Sexual activity does begin to decline 32 36 29 Sexual Behavior Frequency of sexual intercourse Emerging adults 47 having sex twice a week or more 50 59 years 23 sex twice a week or more for men 14 for women Largely tied to living with a spouse or romantic partner Especially true as we age Sex within past 6 months for women in late 50s 88 active with a partner 37 active without a partner Lifestyle Changes Quote All the world s a stage and all the men and women merely players they have their exits and their entrances and one man in his time plays many parts William Shakespeare Tracking Human Development One method for examining human development is by looking at age related stages Largely what we have been doing Second major method is to focus on life events Person s development viewed in context of major life events Graduating marriage divorce birth of child accident etc Focus of the Contemporary Life Events Approach Contemporary Life Events Approach Contemporary Life Events Approach Criticisms of approach Focuses too much on how much we change over time Middle adulthood is largely a time of stability in many ways Does not account for daily stressors and hassles which have larger effect on us over time The Midlife Crisis Midlife is not a crisis for most people Sensationalized by media Similar points to adolescent turmoil Realities High point of many cognitive skills Height of career Happiness and positive affect increases over lifetime 26 experience midlife crisis and most attribute it to life events rather than based on aging alone Empty Nest Many emerging adults who move out on their own think their parents might suffer from their absence Empty Nest Syndrome and missing adult child upon moving out Although true for some parents opposite is true for most parents Majority report many improvements in their quality of life Parents report Increases in marital satisfaction and quality of time spent together Improved relationship with adult children More time to focus on self e g hobbies career goals Meaning in Life Faced with death more often e g parents Questioning life and its meaning Meaning motivates us to continue living Tied to greater psychological wellbeing and health Meaning can be derived from many sources e g family career community religion etc Meaning in life often tied to major needs Let s look at four main areas of needs for meaning Need for Meaning Need for purpose Choosing goals working for and fulfilling those goals Need for values Judging of acts and behaviors as right or wrong for an individual s life Wishing to live a good life Need for sense of self efficacy Belief that one can make a difference Some feeling of control over their life Need for self worth Desire to be a good worthy person Work in Midlife Middle age is a peak in career position earnings Also many financial burdens Staying in the workforce 80 of 45 to 54 year olds 64 of 55 to 64 year olds 50 of 65 and older Work in Midlife Job performance peaks in some ways during middle age Increased motivation work experience Time of reflection Do I want to do this for the rest of my life Type of work lifestyle What changes do I need to make Education New career path Erikson s Stages in Middle Adulthood Generativity Desire to leave a legacy of themselves for the next generation In Major conflict is Generativity vs Stagnation Start to become more concerned with own mortality What will happen when I die essence live on through others Stagnation Has done nothing for next generation Accomplished through many avenues Connecting to the next generation Having children parenting Teaching Contributing to society the community
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