Life in the Middle (eBook)

Front Cover 1
LIFE IN THE MIDDLE: Psychological and Social Development in Middle Age 4
Copyright Page 5
Contents 6
Contributors 14
Preface 16
Part I: Theoretical Perspectives on Midlife 20
Chapter 1. Midlife Development in a Life Course Context 22
Introduction 22
Lives in Context 25
Alternative Pathways: Transitions and Trajectories 28
Subjective Definitions 32
Social Change and Individual Lives 35
References 37
Chapter 2. The Developing Self in Midlife 44
Theoretical Perspectives on Personality Development in Midlife 44
The Central Role of Identity in Adult Personaliy Development 46
A Theoretical Model of Adult Identity Development 47
Identity Styles in Middle Adulthood 50
Empirical Research on the Self in Middle Adulthood 52
The Role of Context in Identity Development 55
Reciprocal Influences on Development 60
Summary 61
References 62
Chapter 3. The Midlife Crisis Revisited 66
Introduction 66
The Midlife Crisis Story in the 1960s and 1970s 67
Midlife Crisis as Personal Myth: The Emergence of Narrative Psychology 71
The Studies 74
Conclusions 86
References 89
Part II: Biological Functioning and Physical Health at Midlife 94
Chapter 4. Health and Disease in Midlife 96
Aging Processes 97
Disease Prevalence and Incidence 100
Risk Factors for Disease 105
Symptoms 109
Disability 110
Social Roles and Health 111
Mortality 112
Conclusion 115
References 116
Chapter 5. Women's Health at Midlife 124
Introduction 124
Menopause 125
Psychosocial and Cultural Factors Associated with Menopause 138
Long-Term Changes Following Menopause 148
Conclusions 156
References 156
Chapter 6. Cardiovascular Health: A Challenge for Midlife 166
Understanding Heart Disease 167
Changing Rates of Disease 168
Midlife as a Time for Behavior Change 169
Understanding Risky Behavior 169
Middle Age with Heart Disease 171
Conclusion 174
References 174
Part III: Psychosocial Functioning at Midlife 178
Chapter 7. Psychological Well-Being in Midlife 180
Introduction 180
A Theory-Driven Perspective on Psychological Well-Being 181
Empirical Studies 184
Toward Explanations of Well-Being 193
Future Directions: The Study of Social Well-Being 196
References 197
Chapter 8. The Sense ofContro1 in Midlife 200
What Is the "Sense of Control?" 201
Sense of Control across the Life-Span 203
Individual Differences and Sense of Control in Midlife 213
Mental Well-Being and Sense of Control 219
Concluding Remarks 220
References 221
Chapter 9. Gender Roles and Gender Identity in Midlife 228
Approaches to the Study of Gender 228
Social Stereotypes, Gender Identity, and Behavior 229
Models to Explain Gender Differences 244
Implications for Research, Social Policy, and Personal Life Planning 248
References 249
Chapter 10. Intellectual Functioning in Midlife 252
The Seattle Longitudinal Study 253
Age-Related Change in Basic Mental Abilities 255
Cohort Differences in Abilities: Parent versus Baby Boom Cohorts 260
Longitudinal Change in Everyday Skills and Competencies 262
Summary 262
References 265
Chapter 11. A Life-Span Framework for Assessing the Impact of Work on White-Collar Workers 268
The Changing Nature of White-collar Work 270
Summary 278
Current Aging and Work Behavior/Performance Patterns 279
Age Grading/Norms and Their Impact on Work Behavior 280
Age Differences in Cognitive Ability 283
Summary 287
Using "Life Structures" to Examine Connections between Individuality and Career Development 288
Some Implications and Conclusions 289
References 290
Chapter 12. Middle Age: New Thoughts, New Directions 294
Development in Midlife Is Understood within a Historical and Sociocultural Context 295
Midlife Development Is Influenced by an Interaction of Heredity and Environment 295
Midlife Development Involves Both Continuity and Discontinuity 296
The "Midlife Crisis" Has Been Overdramatized 296
Midlife Development Is Determined by Both Early and Later Experiences 297
The Family Plays a Large Role in Midlife Development 297
Gender Differences and Gender Equality Are Important Issues 298
Midlife Development Is Determined by an Interaction of Biological, Psychological, and Social Processes 298
Midlife Individuals Deserve Better Health Care 299
Author Index 300
Subject Index 314