PROBLEM 7. MIDLIFE CRISIS 1
DEVELOPMENT IN MIDLIFE
(Margie E. Lachman)
Middle-aged adults: central issues involve generativity, caring and
concern for others in the work or family spheres. Middle age is
associated with aging in physical and psychological resources.
There are positive (emotional regulation and wisdom) and
negative (chronic illnesses, disease, physical problems)
aspects.
The need to balance multiple roles and manage conflicts that
arise is an aspect of midlife regardless of lifestyle or
circumstances.
The emerging field of Midlife Development
Most research on their roles as parents
Research on their roles as caregivers of their parents and the
aversive consequences that might have e.g. stress and
overload
Emphasis on differentiation of midlife from other
developmental periods prevention, minimization and delay
of some changes
Need for longitudinal designs
Great varibility
Demographic Trends
73.6 million middle-aged adults
o 50-54, fastest growing age group
o 45-49, second fastest growing age group
Demands and rewards of caregiving and multigenerational
living are important for middle-aged adults
The Baby Boom Generation
Borne between 1946-1964, 30% of US population
o Large cohort competing for jobs and resources
o Fewer children at later stages than their parents
o Mothers in the work field
Comparison with other age groups
o Earlier generations: greater environmental mastery than
baby boom and baby bust generations
o Baby bust (generation after baby boom): greater access to
resources that enhances self-esteem like education, high-
status occupations and fewer family obstacles.
Emphasis on youthful appearance and minimizing physical changes related
to aging e.g. plastic surgery, exercising
, PROBLEM 7. MIDLIFE CRISIS 2
Ethnic and cultural diversity of the group (big time span)
Phenomenology of Midlife
Self-reflection and evaluation of past and future
Impetus for change-Not necessarily a crisis
Wake-up calls change
Less leisure & more effort in balancing multiple roles and
work/family life with health needs and personal interests.
Subjective Age
Typically 40-60 is considered middle age
The upper end of middle age is stretched because of the prolonged
lifespan- feel 10y younger associated with greater well-being
and health
o The subjective views of individuals that are entering the
older age are in accordance with their physical health
(they are still fully functional)
Distinction between early and later midlife differences in
experiences roles and health
Time restriction: time from birth or time until death
Influencing factors of midlife
Being a grandparent, career goals, child leaving home,
menopause
Social class: lower class has early entry and exit maybe
due to health or transitions e.g. retirement,
grandparenting
Individual differences of ppl with the same chronological
age
Social/Family events
Images and Expectations
Two opposing views
1. Crisis: many problems and mental health issues emerging
during this life-period
2. Peak: period of competence, power, knowledge and
stability
o Diverse samples reveal a balanced distribution
Reconciling the discrepancies- the paradox of midlife
i. Two extremes of a continuum, where the majority is in
the middle
ii. These different views portray individual differences
iii. Sequential relationship of crisis and peak (stage theory)
o Need of crisis for development to occur
DEVELOPMENT IN MIDLIFE
(Margie E. Lachman)
Middle-aged adults: central issues involve generativity, caring and
concern for others in the work or family spheres. Middle age is
associated with aging in physical and psychological resources.
There are positive (emotional regulation and wisdom) and
negative (chronic illnesses, disease, physical problems)
aspects.
The need to balance multiple roles and manage conflicts that
arise is an aspect of midlife regardless of lifestyle or
circumstances.
The emerging field of Midlife Development
Most research on their roles as parents
Research on their roles as caregivers of their parents and the
aversive consequences that might have e.g. stress and
overload
Emphasis on differentiation of midlife from other
developmental periods prevention, minimization and delay
of some changes
Need for longitudinal designs
Great varibility
Demographic Trends
73.6 million middle-aged adults
o 50-54, fastest growing age group
o 45-49, second fastest growing age group
Demands and rewards of caregiving and multigenerational
living are important for middle-aged adults
The Baby Boom Generation
Borne between 1946-1964, 30% of US population
o Large cohort competing for jobs and resources
o Fewer children at later stages than their parents
o Mothers in the work field
Comparison with other age groups
o Earlier generations: greater environmental mastery than
baby boom and baby bust generations
o Baby bust (generation after baby boom): greater access to
resources that enhances self-esteem like education, high-
status occupations and fewer family obstacles.
Emphasis on youthful appearance and minimizing physical changes related
to aging e.g. plastic surgery, exercising
, PROBLEM 7. MIDLIFE CRISIS 2
Ethnic and cultural diversity of the group (big time span)
Phenomenology of Midlife
Self-reflection and evaluation of past and future
Impetus for change-Not necessarily a crisis
Wake-up calls change
Less leisure & more effort in balancing multiple roles and
work/family life with health needs and personal interests.
Subjective Age
Typically 40-60 is considered middle age
The upper end of middle age is stretched because of the prolonged
lifespan- feel 10y younger associated with greater well-being
and health
o The subjective views of individuals that are entering the
older age are in accordance with their physical health
(they are still fully functional)
Distinction between early and later midlife differences in
experiences roles and health
Time restriction: time from birth or time until death
Influencing factors of midlife
Being a grandparent, career goals, child leaving home,
menopause
Social class: lower class has early entry and exit maybe
due to health or transitions e.g. retirement,
grandparenting
Individual differences of ppl with the same chronological
age
Social/Family events
Images and Expectations
Two opposing views
1. Crisis: many problems and mental health issues emerging
during this life-period
2. Peak: period of competence, power, knowledge and
stability
o Diverse samples reveal a balanced distribution
Reconciling the discrepancies- the paradox of midlife
i. Two extremes of a continuum, where the majority is in
the middle
ii. These different views portray individual differences
iii. Sequential relationship of crisis and peak (stage theory)
o Need of crisis for development to occur
