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The Unique Challenges of Middle Adulthood

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

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The Unique Challenges of Middle Adulthood

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  1. The Unique Challenges of Middle Adulthood Chapter 13

  2. Physical Changes & Health • Appearance • Wrinkles (connective tissues weaken) • Gray hair (cessation of pigment production) • Baldness • Weight gain (due to BMR drop)

  3. Physical Changes & Health • Changes in bones/joints • Loss of bone mass (severe: Osteoporosis) • Caused by deficiencies: calcium, D, estrogen • Leading cause of broken bones in older women • More 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

  4. Physical Changes & Health • Changes in bones/joints • Cartilage deterioration • Arthritis: aching joints, inflammation • Hands, spine, hips NOT wrists, elbow or ankles • Symptoms cyclical • Treatment: drugs and exercise

  5. Physical Changes & Health • Reproductive changes • Menopause: cessation of menstrual cycle • Begins late 40s, 50s • Estrogen symptoms: hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness • Somatic symptoms: insomnia, headaches, rapid heart beat, stiffness in neck or shoulders • Vaginal walls shrink, thin, vagina decreases in size, vaginal lubrication decreases, external genitalia shrink • Sexual activity still common and related to partner

  6. Physical Changes & Health • Treatment for menopause • Hormone Replacement Therapy • Estrogen & progesterone • Benefits • Reduce risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, alzheimer’s • Risks • Increased risk of cancer

  7. 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

  8. Stress & Health • Stress: situation appraised as exceeding coping resources • Major life events • Daily hassles • Coping involves attempts to deal w/ stress • Stress depends on appraisals & coping

  9. 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

  10. 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...

  11. Stress & Health • Coping w/ stress • Problem focused efforts • Disclosure • Moderate exercise • Increases mental & physical health

  12. 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

  13. Big-5 Traits • Adult personality • Neuroticism • Extraversion • Openness (curious, creative, imaginative) • Agreeableness (good natured, trusting, helpful) • Conscientiousness (organized, reliable, disciplined) • Traits stable during adulthood

  14. 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, volunteering • Characterized by: prosocial traits/behavior, express caring attitudes about others, well-being • Stagnation - bored, indulgent, unable to deal with needs of children/youth

  15. Gender Role Changes • Middle adulthood males/females converge • Both report more ‘feminine’ characteristics • Nurturing, intimacy, tenderness, family concerns • Data mixed • Some report less feminine features • In sum gender roles appear most similar in middle/old age

  16. 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-life • Ego-resilient people handle them best

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