Middle Adulthood

Question 1

common vision problems in middle adulthood

Answer 1

presbyopia (around age 60) – inability to adjust focusing to varying distances
poor vision in dim light, increased sensitivity to glare
decline in color discrimination
glaucoma risk – increased IOP, causing cloudy vision to blindness
myopia – near sightedness
hyperopia – farsightedness

Question 2

Hearing difficulties in middle adulthood (MA)

Answer 2

presbycusis (ages 45-64) – initial decline in sensitivity to high frequencies, eventually expands to all frequencies
speech more difficult to make out

Question 3

Physical changes in MA

Answer 3

Skin – sagging, decreased elasticity, wrinkles – forehead starting in 30s, crows feet starting in 40s, dryness, age spots after 50, blood vessels more visible, faster with sun exposure
Adipose tissue – increased
men: upper abdomen, back
women: waist, upper arms
Skeletal – decreased muscle and bone
bones broader but more porous

Question 4

menopause

Answer 4

menopause begins between late 30s to late 50s for most women, which can cause symptoms such as vaginal dryness, decrease libido, hot flashes, osteoporosis
monthly cycle shortens and then stops
sleep disturbances (r/t hot flashes)
depression d/t hormones is common up to but not after menopause

Question 5

Erectile dysfxn

Answer 5

frequent problems r/t anxiety, depression, physical disorders, injury, loss of sexual interest
drugs treat by increasing blood flow to penis

Question 6

Leading causes of death in MA

Answer 6

1. CA
2. heart disease
3. unintentional injury

Question 7

CV problems in MA

Answer 7

25% of middle aged deaths
HTN, high cholesterol, atherosclerosis
s/s: heart attack, angina, arrhythmia

Question 8

crystallized intelligence

Answer 8

accumulated knowledge, experience, good judgment, mastery of social conventions
peaks in midlife, declines with age
ex. memorizing recipes

Question 9

fluid intelligence

Answer 9

depends on basic info processing, relationships among visual stimuli, speed of analyzing info, working memory
progressive fall off starting in mid-twenties
problem solving/reasoning

Question 10

Causes of cognitive declines in MA

Answer 10

slowing of nervous system functioning
withering of myelin
declining in executive functioning, especially working memory

Question 11

generativity vs stagnation

Answer 11

erikson’s stage of aging, generativity means finding purpose/meaning, (extending commitments beyond self and partner, giving to future generations, “belief in the species”) where as those in stagnation are self-centered, and self-indulgent, transactional, little interest in being productive at work or developing talents

Question 12

Levinson’s psychosocial developmental tasks

Answer 12

young-old: seeks ways of being both
destruction-creation: acknowledges past hurtful acts, tries to leave legacy for future generations
masculinity-femininity: balance (and get more comfortable with) both masculine and feminine parts
engagement-separateness: balances engagement and separateness with the external world

Question 13

Changes in self-concept in MA

Answer 13

midlife gains in self acceptance, autonomy, environmental mastery
more complex, integrated self descriptions
number of roles and status peak
increase in overall life satisfaction

Question 14

Parent-child relationships in MA

Answer 14

decline in parental authority
continued contact, affection, support with children
adjusting to inlaws

Question 15

Divorce and remarriage in MA

Answer 15

need for review and adjustment of marital relationship
psychological intimacy strengthened by physical affection, low conflict, and sense of fairness
divorce rate doubled in last 50 yrs, more likely among highly educated
better at coping when marriage distressed

Question 16

Grandparenthood

Answer 16

often starts in late 50s
powerful way of meeting both personal and societal needs
relationships influenced by age, sex, SES, ethnicity, culture, relationship w/ inlaws

Question 17

Sibling relationships in MA

Answer 17

contact and support declines d/t demands of diverse roles
many feel closer often in response to major life events

Question 18

Friendships in MA

Answer 18

continued: men’s friendships are less intimate than womens
fewer friends: more selective, try harder w/ ones they do have
friends for pleasure, family for support and security

Question 19

Vocational life

Answer 19

fulfilling career linked to feeling of generativity
more contentment for white-collar workers
increased satisfaction with work
increased capacity to manage difficult situations