Chapter 16

Psychosocial Development in Middle Adulthood

Cohort, gender, ethnicity, culture, and socioeconomic impact loss/continued skills

Maslow & Rogers Viewed middle age as an opportunity for positive

changeMaslow- self-actualization (realizing full human

potential) only comes with maturity. Rogers believed that full human functioning

requires a constant, lifelong process of bringing the self in harmony with experience

Women emphasize expressiveness and nurturance; men emphasize achievement

EriksonGenerativity vs. Stagnation (middle adulthood)• Characterized by concern with what is generated,

and establishing and setting forth guidelines for up-coming generations. As aspect of identity formation.

• This push for values is generated by the psychosexual and psychosocial aspects of personality enrichment.

• When generativity is weak or not given expression the personality regresses, takes on a sense of impoverishment and stagnation

EriksonGenerativity vs. Stagnation (middle adulthood)• Virtue of CARE develops here.• Care is expressed by one’s concern for others, by

wanting to take care of those who need it and to share one’s knowledge and experience with others

• This is accomplished through childrearing and teaching, demonstrating, and supervising.

• Humans have an inherent need to teach.• Humans achieve satisfaction and fulfillment by

teaching children, adults, employees, and even animals.

EriksonGenerativity vs. Stagnation (middle adulthood)• Facts, logic, and truths are preserved throughout

generations by this passion to teach.• Caring and teaching are responsible for the

survival of the cultures, through reiteration of their customs, rituals, and legends.

• Teaching also instills a vital sense of feeling needs by others, a sense of important, which deters them from becoming too engrossed and absorbed with themselves.

EriksonGenerativity vs. Stagnation (middle adulthood)• Teaching also instills a vital sense of feeling needs

by others, a sense of important, which deters them from becoming too engrossed and absorbed with themselves.

• “CARE is the widening concern for what has been generated by love, necessity, or accident; it overcomes the ambivalence adhering to irreversible obligation”.

• Ritualization: generational: ritualization of parenthood, production, teaching, healing, etc. the adult acts in the role of transmitter of ideal values to the young

Vaillant & Jung- lessening of gender differences

• Men become more nurturing and expressive• Less obsessed with personal achievement

and more concerned with relationships• Become mentors• Also turning inward and introspection

Timing of Events: The Social Clock Theory• Focus on important life events• Restructuring of social roles• Launching children• Becoming grandparents• Changing jobs/careers• Retirement• Women now focus less on childcare,

entered workforce

The Self• Midlife Crisis- triggered by review and

reevaluation of one’s life• May not actualize all of their dreams• May want to change life’s direction• Some experience this crisis, others feel at peak of

their power• Really just a turning point, psychological

transitions• Changes in meaning, purpose, or direction of

one’s life• May be positive or negative

Midlife review- new insights into the self, spurring corrections, some regret

• Depends on individuals circumstances and personal resources

• People high on neuroticism likely to experience more crisis

• People with ego-resiliency (ability to adapt flexibly and resourcefully) and those with sense of mastery do better (see Table 16-1 (page 593))

PiagetIdentity assimilation- attempt to fit new

experiences into existing schemaTends to maintain continuity of the self Identity accommodation- adjustment of

schema to fit new experienceTends to bring about needed change

WhitbourneHow deals with assimilation/accommodation

is their identity style- balanced identity style results with flexibility to make changes but new experience does not cause the person to question fundamental assumptions about the self.

 Deal with physical, mental, emotional

changes associated with aging same as they deal with other experiences that challenge the identity schema

Erikson saw gender identity as being closely related to social roles and commitments. Changing roles and relationships at midlife may affect gender identity, but the most profound midlife revisions may be internal, how understands and thinks about himself.

 Studies suggest that men become more open about

feelings, more interested in intimate relationships, more nurturing (more feminine characteristics)

 Women become more assertive, self-confident,

achievement orientated

Jung saw these changes as part of the process of individuation, or balancing the personality.

 Gender crossover- role reversals to some

degree

Psychological Well-Being• Emotionally and life satisfaction tended to be

good• Social support and religiosity are important factors Ryff- Multiple Dimensions of Well-Being• Self-acceptance• Positive relations with others• Autonomy• Environmental mastery• Purpose in life• Personal growth

GenerativityErikson- a sign of both psychological

maturity and psychological healthChallenges of this period require generative

responses Theories of Social ContactSocial convoy theory- people move through

life surrounded by convoys of peopleThis is stable over life-span

Carstensen’s socioemotional theory• How people choose whom to spend time

with:• Social interaction has three main goals:• Source of information• Helps people develop and maintain sense of

self• Source of pleasure and comfort, or

emotional well-being

Marriage & Cohabitation• Marriage offers major benefits:• Social support• Encouragement of health-promoting

behaviors• Greater socioeconomic resources• Wealth accumulation• Better physical and mental health

Marriage & Cohabitation• Divorced and noncohabitating men/women- more

negative emotionality• The longer a couple married, the less satisfied they

are (20-24 years of marriage)• At 35-40 years of marriage, more satisfied• Reason: teenage children have grown and in

careers; satisfaction increases when children are grown.

• Cohabitating men over 50 are more depressed, same as single men

• Women may enjoy it more, without commitment of marriage to care for elderly spouse

Midlife divorce• More emotionally devastating than losing a job;

same as major illness; more so for women• Marital capitol may be why long-term marriages

survive• Primary reason for divorce- abuse; then differing

values or lifestyles, infidelity, substance abuse, or falling out of love

• Most do bounce back. • Emotional problems follow divorce

Gay/Lesbian Relationships• Due to earlier stigmas, may now be able to

search for partners• May have guilt, prolonged search for

identity, conflicted relationships with both sexes, other barriers

• Same principles for maintaining heterosexual relationships apply

• If known to their support network, gay/lesbian relationships tend to be stronger, more egalitarian than heterosexual

Friendships• Strong source of support, especially for

women• Quality of relationships makes up for lack

in quantity of time spent• Friends offer a lot of emotional support

Empty nest• Most parents, even mothers, adjust just fine!• Depends on quality of marriage• If strong marriage, children leaving fosters a

second honeymoon• If shaky marriage, especially if remained

together for the children’s sake, may divorce• For some women, empty nest brings relief

from the chronic emergency of parenthood.• Continue to parent adult children, supportive.

Empty nest• Revolving door syndrome: young

adults returning to live at home. More men than women

• Creates tension, impedes growth

• Most middle-aged parents and their children have warm and supportive relationships

Some problems with caring for one’s parents

Caregiver burnout- physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion that can affect adults who care for their aged relatives

 Sandwich generation: caring for own

children while having to care for own parents- stresses resources

Grandparent role• Some continue to work• Some play integral role in child raising

and family decisions• Grandmothers tend to keep in touch

with everyone• Spend grandparents money on the

grandchildren

Cohort, gender, ethnicity, culture, and socioeconomic impact loss/continued skills

 Maslow & Rogers Viewed middle age as an opportunity for positive

change

Maslow- self-actualization (realizing full human potential) only comes with maturity.

 Rogers believed that full human functioning requires

a constant, lifelong process of bringing the self in harmony with experience