LESSON FOURTEEN: ADULTHOOD DEVELOPMENT

14.0 INTRODUCTION

In the earlier lessons we focused on changes in growth & development in childhood and
adolescence. These changes can be viewed as a preparation for the period of adulthood or
maturity. The period of adulthood is the beginning of a commitment to careers, marriage
and parenthood. However, there are variations based on factors such as cultural demands,
social-economic classes, nationalities and ethnicity, personality differences and historical
events such as wars. In this lesson, we will discuss adulthood in three stages: early
adulthood, middle adulthood and late adulthood and aging. For each of the stages we will
look at the developmental changes, developmental tasks and problems or challenges at
each stage.

OBJECTIVES

By the end of this lesson, the student should be able to:

1. Discuss developmental tasks and changes at each stage.
3. Discuss some of the challenges in adulthood
3. Suggest coping strategies.

14.1 EARLY ADULTHOOD (20 - 40 YEARS)

Developmental Changes
a) Physical Characteristics
Strength, energy, and endurance characterize Early adulthood. The peak of
muscular strength occurs at about 25-30 years. The senses are most effective
currently.

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b) Cognitive Characteristics
The main feature of adult thinking appears to be its practical nature, which
allows for intellectual contradictions to exist side by side in a person’s mind in the
furtherance of a practical goal. Adults focus their intellectual energies on solving
real problems. They accept contradiction, imperfection and
compromise as part of adult life.

Developmental Tasks of early adulthood

Early adults are at Eriksson’s stage six of intimacy versus isolation. Developmental tasks
include the following:
1. Selecting a mate.
2. Marriage and learning to live with a marriage partner.
3. Starting a family.
4. Rearing children.
5. Managing a home.
6. Getting started in an occupation.
7. Taking a civic responsibility.
8. Finding a congenital social group.
9. Separating from parents.
10. Being more independent financially and psychologically.

14.2 MIDDLE ADULTHOOD (41-65 YEARS)

Developmental Changes
a) Physical characteristics
Several physical changes take place during this period.
1. There is a marked and gradual decline in many aspects of physical development.
Vision and hearing begin to decline.
2. Incidence of cardiovascular disease increases during this time. Blood pressure
usually rises and the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart begin to
narrow during this time. These changes are linked to the lifestyle of a person.

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 3. Muscular strength declines steadily during this period.

4. Menopause
It is defined as the end of menstruation, which occurs because of ovarian
degeneration and a decline of estrogen secretion. It occurs over a prolonged
period from around 45 - 65 years. Major changes include: -

i. Aging of ovaries and decline in output of ovaries i.e. the ova, estrogen and
progesterone. This leads to inadequate uterine stimulation, which
consequently leads to the end of menstruation and discomfort when having
sex.

ii. Hot flashes, headaches, dizziness, heart palpitations and joint pains.

NB: There are individual differences in the effects of menopause. Some feel it is
the end of their sex life while others feel its liberating because there is no fear of
pregnancy.

Male Climacteric syndrome

i. Although men do not experience menopause, they experience age related changes in
the reproductive system. Climacteric syndrome refers to the loss of the ability to
reproduce. These changes appear from the 60’s to the 70’s. Characteristics include: -
ii. Gradual decline in sperm production although viable sperms are produced by the
oldest men.
iii. Androgen (testosterone) levels gradually decrease, and erection occurs more slowly
leading to decreased sexual performance.
iv. The seminal fluid becomes thinner and its volume decreases.

Midlife Crisis: This is a period of transition at about 40 to 50 years during which

individuals take stock and a look at their lives and ask was it worth the trouble? They
may feel effective and competent and at the peak of their powers. To others, it may be a

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painful process. It’s usually caused by a shift in control. They accept that they have no
control over factors such as disease, death etc.

Factors that may facilitate the crisis are divorce, children leaving home, menopause,
infidelity, competition, impotence, job changes, death of a spouse, biological aging, and
severe illness. How people react to becoming middle aged or the above factors, may
determine whether they are in a period of transition, reassessment, or midlife crisis. If they are
regarded as a normal part of life, it will less likely lead to crisis.

Developmental tasks
Middle adults are at Eriksson’s stage seven of generativity versus stagnation.
Developmental tasks include the following:
1. Achieving adult and civic responsibility.
2. Establishing and maintaining an economic standard of living
3. Assisting teenage children to become responsible adults
4. Developing adult leisure time activities
5. Relating to one’s spouse as a person because children have grown, left and parents are
left alone once again.
6. Accepting the physiological changes of middle age.
7. Revise and re-appraise the early adult era and modifying unsatisfying aspects of
previous lifestyle.

This can be a stressful stage as others depend on them - younger and older generation -
and they have nobody to depend on.

14.3 LATE ADULTHOOD AND AGING (65 AND ABOVE)

Developmental changes
a) Physical characteristics
There are several major changes at this stage.
1. The entire circulatory machinery is less efficient

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2. Sensory and perceptual functions decline. They have visual problems, hearing loss,
sense of taste declines, and vestibular senses loose efficiency and touch and
movement decline with age.
3. The skin loses its elasticity i.e., its folded and wrinkled. Hair becomes thinner and
turns gray.
4. They shrink in size and stoop. Chemical composition of the bone’s changes causing an
increased chance in bone fractures.

b) Cognitive changes
1. Lack of mental alertness. Loss of memory and forgetfulness, which is made worse by
cardiovascular disease and senility.
2. Decline in creativity.
3. More effective though slow in their work due to accumulated experience and
knowledge.
4. Has a large amount of wisdom. Should be encouraged to be active both physically
and mentally.

Developmental Tasks
They are at Eriksson’s last stage of integrity versus despair. Developmental tasks include the
following:
1. Adjusting to decreased physical strength and health.
2. Adjusting to retirement and reduced income.
3. Adjusting to death of a spouse.
4. Establishing an explicit affiliation with one’s age group.
5. Establishing satisfactory physical living conditions.

Social life is restricted by loss of workmates, relatives, spouse, friends, and poor health. So,
they mainly rely more on their families for companionship - may feel neglected and lonely at
old people’s homes.

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Death and dying: Epilogue.
Typical reactions to impending death include: -
1. Denial
2. Anger - directed at death, against those not dying, the healthy and robust, dependents,
what is left undone etc. they should not be taken seriously.
3. Depression - allow them opportunity to express their sorrow
4. Bargains for additional time
5. Acceptance
6. Hope

NB:
Age is not the major factor determining entry into these stages. For example, if a girl
marries at 16 years and gets children will already enter the early adulthood stage. If
one is about to die at 45 years due to illness, they will enter integrity vs. despair
stage.

1.4 Summary

 Adulthood is a period of maturity, which is associated with the beginning, and

ending of a career, marriage, and parenthood.
 The period marks a peak in physical and cognitive development.
 Middle age marks a gradual decline in physical, social, personal, and economic
performance.
 Intellectual and cognitive functioning remains stable throughout middle age.
 In late adulthood there is a marked decline in the efficient functioning of the senses,
cognitive abilities and physical activities.

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Review Question

Carry out a survey of the old people in your

community. Identify their problems, challenges and
coping strategies.