Middle Adulthood Section 12

Question 1

What are physical changes that come with middle adulthood?

Answer 1

Physical deterioration, consequences of health habits from earlier become apparent, mortality rates from dangerous activities become higher

Question 2

What are the concerns of middle adulthood?

Answer 2

Legacy, career satisfaction, painting physical condition

Question 3

What are trends in suicide in MA?

Answer 3

Men’s highest risk during 50s, women’s is 60s (esp high in the U.S.?)

Question 4

What are the top stressors in order?

Answer 4

1. Intimate partner relationships
2. Job/financial problems
3. Physical health problems
4. Family problems
5. Legal problems
   Mental and physical health overall worsens

Question 5

What age do MAs feel?

Answer 5

Their mental identity age decreases as real age increases, feels like they’re in 20s/30s forever

Question 6

How does the body change?

Answer 6

Strength and agility decline starting 25+, metabolism slows, recovery speed slows, and reproductivity changes

Question 7

What are the stages of reproductive change for women?

Answer 7

Perimenopause: transitional from menstruating to not - causes physical symptoms
Menopause: ovulation and menstruation stop

Question 8

What is reproductive change in men?

Answer 8

Andropause: fertility and sperm count decrease

Question 9

What happens when FSH (follicular stimulating hormone) increases?

Answer 9

Ovary and sperm production stops, done density decreases, more fat

Question 10

What are physical consequences of hormonal changes?

Answer 10

Weight gain (esp around belly), sagging, graying hair, slower metabolism and recovery time, loss of senses and joint tissue

Question 11

What is osteopenia?

Answer 11

Osteopenia is decline in bone density

Question 12

What is sarcopenia?

Answer 12

Decline in muscle fiber number in size in which muscle atrophy impairs muscle performance and motor neurons diminish

Question 13

What physical consequences does lack of fertility have?

Answer 13

Less attraction and libido, loss of collagen, erectile dysfunction, enlarged prostate and more fragile vagina

Question 14

What check ups become important?

Answer 14

Cardiovascular, colonoscopies, cancer screenings, dental, and kidney function (risks in all these areas increase w age, cancer and heart problem become most common ways to die)

Question 15

What mental changes occur?

Answer 15

Brain cells deteriorate in quality causing reduction in fluid intelligence (information processing) but increase in crystalized intelligence (wisdom)

Question 16

How do people react to mid-life?

Answer 16

Time for reflection and anticipation for future, mid-life crises not inevitable but triggered by major life event or loss

Question 17

How does happiness fluctuate throughout life?

Answer 17

Happiness is like a “U” shape diagram: highest in the beginning and end, lowest being foe 20 yrs between EA and MA

Question 18

What is Erikson’s psychosocial stage here?

Answer 18

Generality vs. stagnation: desire to leave legacy (can be thru self-preservation, career, parenthood, and cultural development)

Question 19

What are the trends of religiosity?

Answer 19

Decreases at 14 and increases again in late 50s, religion is also good for health

Question 20

What are the 4 main needs according to Roy Baumeister and Kathleen Vohs?

Answer 20

1. Need for purpose
2. Need for values
3. Need for sense of efficacy
4. Need for self-worth
   Religion and family can help this