Problem 7: midlife crisis

Question 1

2017, blanchflower & Oswald: do humans suffer a psychological low in midlife?
-aim
-method
-results
-limitations

Answer 1

-looking at 7 data sets in 51 countries for how happy people are
-all data sets are cross sectional
-5/7 descriptive support midlife low
-7/7 analytical support midlife low
-limitations:
–only cross sectional
–mixed findings
–due to cohort effects

Question 2

2020 galambos et al: the u-shape of happiness across the life course - expanding the discussion:
-aim
-reasons for no u-shape

Answer 2

-challenging the U shape of happiness across life
reasons:
-cross sectional studies + mixed evidence from it
-longitudinal data is also mixed
-when measuring depression and anxiety etc, they peak during young age so counter evidence
-older adults prefer midlife
-life span developmental perspective: people differ a lot in the ways they change
-life course perspective: emphasis on hysterical, socio-demographic context on individual development
–> no evidence for u-shape

Question 3

sources for midlife crises + when + influence of socio economic status

Answer 3

-major life events: divorce, death of a loved one
-when: 40-60 (approx)/baby boom generation
-the lower the socio-economic status –> the earlier you enter midlife crisis
-

Question 4

paradox of midlife crisis:

Answer 4

it is both a crisis and the peak of life
-two ends of a continuum
-different ways describe individual differences
-relationship between crisis and peak (crisis –> peak)
-people show different outcomes in different domains of life

Question 5

is there a midlife crisis? + influence of personality

Answer 5

-research does not support a midlife crisis
-personality can be a key factor in predisposing some people to a midlife crisis

Question 6

conceptual frameworks of midlife crisis:

Answer 6

-Jung: midlife centers around individuals balancing different aspects of life and the well being is determined by this
-erikson: throughout life you have 8 stages and each stage has a crisis that is considered a turning point (generatively vs stagnation)

Question 7

patterns of change in midlife:

Answer 7

-wisdom and tacit knowledge peak at midlife
-older adults show similarity with younger generation in terms of emotions
-good relation with family and friends leads to being happy
-work can be a challenge
-decline in health, menopause

Question 8

2009 Freund et al: midlife crisis - a debate:
-aim
-explain

Answer 8

-aim: defining midlife and pros and cons
-strict view: midlife crisis happens to everyone, is temporally bound and distinct
-moderate view: midlife crisis is normative and temporally bound but not distinct
-lenient view: only temporally bound, not a crisis and not normative
-difference: older people go through a crisis according to moderate view only