Middle Adulthood (40-60)

Question 1

how does body composition change in middle adulthood?

Answer 1

• fat stores redistributed
• basal metabolic rate slows leading to loss of muscle and hormone production
• loss of bone density (osteoporosis), exacerbated by hormone loss - higher risk of fractures due to brittle bones leads to reduced mobility

Question 2

when does the menopause happen and what does it result in?

Answer 2

• occurs around 50 but begins 10-15 years prior
• results in loss of ability to conceive

Question 3

what are the three stages of the menopause?

Answer 3

• pre-menopausal - fluctuating hormone and irregular periods
• peri-menopausal - extreme variation in periods, hot flushes
• post-menopausal - estrogen and progesterone levels consistently low for 1 year, menstruation stops

Question 4

characteristics of andropause?

Answer 4

• 1% testosterone levels per year from the 40s
• reduced quanitity of viable sperm
• loss of muscle tissue and strength
• erectile dysfunction - 31% by late 50s - can be improved w diet and exercise

Question 5

health risks during middle adulthood?

Answer 5

• cancer - most likely cause of death in middle aged women
• cardiovascular disease - sudden heart attacks most likely cause of death in middle aged men

Question 6

Clouston et al. (2015) - is education predictive of health behaviour in middle adulthood?

Answer 6

yes, especially smoking and drinking

Question 7

Bachmann et al. (2015) - cardiorespiratory fitness in mid life leads to lower or higher healthcare costs in later life?

Answer 7

lower

Question 8

how does cognition change during middle adulthood?

Answer 8

• processes become slower - Salthouse (2004) - decrease happens with a lack of mental activity

Question 9

Raz & Rodrigue (2006) found what correlation between cognition and the function of the circulatory system?

Answer 9

a correlation between risk of heart disease/cancer and intellectual skills - also mediated by physical activity

Question 10

how does working memory change during middle adulthood?

Answer 10

• age 55 - no longer accommodate large complex loads in vision due to changes in memory efficiency

Question 11

how does semantic memory change during middle adulthood?

Answer 11

it stays stable

Question 12

how does episodic memory change during middle adulthood?

Answer 12

prone to decline - themes remembered better than details

Question 13

Rosness et al. (2016) found what to be associated with middle age and dementia risk?

Answer 13

high glucose levels

Question 14

what is a mid-life crisis?

Answer 14

• confronting difficult issues - mental and physical limitations, increasing health risks, balancing multiple roles

Question 15

Erikson (1963) defined a crisis in mid life as what?

Answer 15

generativity vs stagnation, the need to care for the next generation - can focus on this without children by focusing on work oriented goals

Question 16

is a mid-life crisis the same as a crisis in mid life?

Answer 16

no

Question 17

what is the main social change that occurs in middle adulthood?

Answer 17

role conflict - partner, friend, parent

Question 18

King et al. (2007)’s longitudinal study on 15,000 45-64 year olds found what regarding adopting 4 key lifestyle habits (5 a day, not smoking, exercising for 2.5+ hrs a week, healthy BMI)?

Answer 18

• those who adopted the habits had a 40% lower mortality rate 4 years later
• also reduced risk of cardio-vascular disease and stroke