Individuals in middle adulthood experience both gains and losses in physical, cognitive, and psychosocial functioning. Middle adulthood can be a very positive experience. On the other hand, developmental issues associated with middle adulthood can be stressful. Understanding stressors experienced during middle adulthood is the key to effectively serving this age group.

Tasks: Research evidence suggests that the midlife crisis is not a typical aspect of development. However, most people can provide anecdotal evidence of someone who has experienced such a crisis. Review the professional literature-articles from peer-reviewed journals and relevant textbooks-and answer the following questions:

• What stressors during middle adulthood might contribute to such a crisis?

• How might an individual's multicultural identities affect the stressors experienced during middle adulthood?

• What types of preventative or protective behaviors could prevent the individual from experiencing a developmental crisis?