Early_and_Middle_Adulthood

Early and Middle Adulthood PSY 280 Early and Middle Adulthood Many changes are expected from early adulthood to middle adulthood; some conditions hinder these behavioral and psychological changes. During these stages many areas of development can be observed. These areas include social and intimate relationship changes, various role changes, and health impacts brought upon by unhealthy habits. During early adulthood relationships there is an emphasis on friendships and romance; this period is defined by the ages of 20 through 35 (The Psychology Career Center, 2013). During this period of early adult hood “closeness or intimacy” in the spectrum of relationship development, is dependent on their personality; furthermore these relationships can have an impact on their personality development (Neyer & Asendorpf, 2001). Friendships either old or new are an important aspect coming in to early adulthood; these friendships support many psychosocial aspects of the emerging adult (Berger, 2010). During this period usually men and women choose friendships based on their own sex and enjoy their time performing activities specific to their sex group (Berger, 2010). When it comes to the romantic relational aspect, this period signifies a higher commitment to intimate relationships and consideration of child bearing (The Psychology Career Center, 2013). Of course these aspects can be different depending on the influence of culture and sex group (Berger, 2010). One can also observe at this stage of early adulthood love or romantic behavior appears to be more passionate; an intense physiological reaction mixed with feelings of euphoria are experienced (Berger, 2010). Another common observance is the lack of emotional commitment some men show during early adulthood; they rather have physical intimacy without commitment to their partners. Young women on the other hand at this stage already feel that commitment is an important aspect that comes with physical intimacy. Before age 25, most young adults have cohabitated; that is leaving with a romantic partner without the commitment of marriage (Berger, 2010). In this environment daily life is shared under the same roof, but there is less commitment on the financial aspect, unlike married couples (Berger, 2010). The many aspects of relationships change over early adulthood to middle adulthood; the passion and romantics of love from early adulthood become companionate or affectionate love ("Magnas Systems", n.d). At this state marriage typically gets better; that is if the marriage was problematic at an early adulthood state (Berger, 2010). Also the lack of having to be rearing kids takes away stress and marital issues. When it comes to other types of friendships, e.g. friends, coworkers, classmates, acquaintances, and neighbors; these are already established and developed. They form an important part of the psychosocial make of the middle adult (Berger, 2010). At this point social support can be given by anyone who is willing to support the adult’s life journey, in contrast with early adulthood where friendships were more intimate in nature, living a void in the other groups mentioned (Berger, 2010). Most importantly friends make an important part of the middle adult’s social environment. These friendships have been established for years now and typically they share the same values; these are helpful in moments of great adversity where sound and concise advice is needed for life’s problems (Berger, 2010). At this time family bonds are very intimate, since cohabitation has taken place for a long period of time in an environment conducive to unity of all. Middle adulthood is also called the sandwich generation because they feel a layered between the young and the old generations (Berger, 2010). Research shows that instead of finding an inclination to help both, they feel burdened more than anything else (Berger, 2010). In these transitional periods many role changes occur in both generations. During early adulthood a major role change is financial independence (Hammond, 2013). At this time the early adults are trying to set their financial future by choosing a career that will establish long term financial stability emerging into middle adulthood. Another transitional role typical of early adulthood is going from single to married, where now responsibilities must be shared and partners must be equally responsible (Hammond, 2013). The role of parenthood may aso onset, now the parents must provide a strong role model to their children and rearing becomes an important role in the relationship (Hammond, 2013). As middle adulthood comes in the picture the role of care givers to their siblings may become necessary, even though it may seem like a burden to many. Also their role in their sons’ or daughters’ life maybe become more of advice givers and less or no control in their lives since they themselves are emerging adults. Their roles in society and work environment are different due to career advancement. Other visible aspects of these generations are their healthy and unhealthy habits and the results they bring with time. The long term negative habits can arise when the practice of the positive is absent. A healthy habit found on both generations is the continual upkeep of physical fitness to maintain better overall health, stress relief, and energy levels. Another positive habit is the upkeep of long term healthy dieting; this has great impact on middle adulthood, as this can prevent many medical complications. On the other hand negative habits like alcohol, drugs, and tobacco habits found in early adulthood, carry consequences into middle adulthood (Berger, 2010). These negative habits can build cognitive, oral, cancer, heart, lung, and liver problems if not death in severe cases (Berger, 2010). One largely present problem in both generations is over eating. Over eating with lack of exercise can have deadly consequences in the cardiovascular system leading to heart disease and obesity (Berger, 2010). Another negative outcome of over eating is diabetes, which brings the onset of insulin control problems (Berger, 2010). Lack of exercise can bring problems with blood pressure, stress levels, osteoporosis, among other health concerns that dramatically hinder middle adulthood. During the course of early and middle adulthood there are many observable changes. These changes can be observed in the social and intimate relationships during these stages. Also several role changes take place in both that allow a more stable future. Health habits also come in consideration, since the lack thereof can result in severe unhealthy conditions. These two stages represent the foundation for the rest of the adult’s life. After these changes take place, not many changes will take place, with the exception of ageing and deterioration of health with old age. References Berger, K. S. (2010). Invitation to the life span. (2 ed., Vol. 512, pp. 383-600). New York: Worth Publishers. (Berger, 2010) Hammond, K. (2013). Various Role Changes in Early Various role changes in early and middleadulthood . Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/info_8605005_various-changes-early-middle-adulthood.html Neyer, F. J., & Asendorpf, J. B. (2001). Personality–relationship transaction in young adulthood. Journal Of Personality And Social Psychology, 81(6), 1190-1204. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.81.6.1190 Magnas systems. (n.d). Retrieved from http://www.magnasystems.com/_guides/Middle_Adulthood_Intimate_And_Sandwich_Guide.pdf Srivastava, S., John, O. P., Gosling, S. D., & Potter, J. (2003). Development of personality in early and middle adulthood: Set like plaster or persistent change'. Journal Of Personality And Social Psychology, 84(5), 1041-1053. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.84.5.1041 The Psychology Career Center. (2013). Early adulthood developmental psychology. Retrieved from http://www.allpsychologycareers.com/topics/early-adulthood-development.html