Write 3-4 pages in which you examine the changes that happen during middle adulthood, positive behaviors that can add to well-being during this stage, and ways a psychology professional can help those who may be struggling through this stage.

Although not every person goes through a midlife crisis, during one's 40s and 50s comes a realization that more than half of one's life is gone. That can be enough to make some people feel that time is running out and they need to make drastic changes in their lives. Others come to this stage and feel quite content with the course their lives are on.

People in middle adulthood are more likely to experience significant life events such as the death of a parent, children leaving home, becoming a grandparent, and health issues associated with aging. Middle adulthood is a time of change and transition, and each person responds to those changes in different ways.

Suggested Resources

The following optional resources are provided to support you in completing the assessment or to provide a helpful context. For additional resources, refer to the Research Resources and Supplemental Resources in the left navigation menu of your courseroom.

Adult Development | Transcript.

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Library Resources

The following articles from the Capella University Library are linked directly in this course:

Borzumato-Gainey, C., Kennedy, A., McCabe, B., & Degges-White, S. (2009). Life satisfaction, self-esteem, and subjective age in women across the life span. Adultspan Journal, 8(1), 29-42.

Frazier, L. D., Barreto, M. L., & Newman, F. L. (2012). Self-regulation and eudaimonic well-being across adulthood. Experimental Aging Research, 38(4), 394-410.

Hearn, S., Saulnier, G., Strayer, J., Glenham, M., Koopman, R., & Marcia, J. (2012). Between integrity and despair: Toward construct validation of Erikson's eighth stage. Journal of Adult Development, 19(1), 1-20.

Newton, N., & Stewart, A. J. (2010). The middle ages: Change in women's personalities and social roles. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 34(1), 75-84.

Pennequin, V., Sorel, O., & Mainguy, M. (2010). Metacognition, executive functions and aging: The effect of training in the use of metacognitive skills to solve mathematical word problems. Journal of Adult Development, 17(3), 168-176.

Wight, R. G., LeBlanc, A. J., de Vries, B., & Detels, R. (2012). Stress and mental health among midlife and older gay-identified men. American Journal of Public Health, 102(3), 503-510.

Course Library Guide

A Capella University library guide has been created specifically for your use in this course. You are encouraged to refer to the resources in the PSYC-FP3210 - Human Lifespan Development Library Guide to help direct your research.

Internet Resources

Access the following resource by clicking the link provided. Please note that URLs change frequently. Permission for the following link has been either granted or deemed appropriate for educational use at the time of course publication.

State of Oregon. (2012). Myths and stereotypes of aging. Retrieved from

http://www.oregon.gov/dhs/apd-dd-training/EQC%20Training%20Documents/Myths%20and%20Stereotypes%20of%20Aging.pdf

Assessment Instructions

Preparation

Look for scholarly and professional research articles on the changes that occur during midlife, and what psychology professionals can do to encourage and support health and well-being during this stage of human development.

Requirements

For this assessment, examine the changes that happen during middle adulthood, positive behaviors that can add to well-being during this stage, and ways a psychology professional can help those who may be struggling through this stage.

Be sure that your submitted assessment contains the following:

Describe the physical changes that typically happen for both men and women in middle adulthood.

Describe the changes that take place in the brain during midlife.

Explain how the changes that happen in the brain affect cognitive functions.

Identify behaviors that can promote and support health and well-being in middle adulthood.

Recommend activities to promote cognitive strength.

Examine how social activities and connections can lessen the impact of midlife changes.

Additional Requirements

Written communication: Your writing should be free of errors that detract from the overall message and is consistent with expectations for members of the psychological professions.

APA formatting: Format resources and citations according to APA style.

Resources: Minimum of three scholarly or professional resources. Note: Popular resources such as Wikipedia or About.com are not considered to be appropriate.

Length: 3-4 typed, double-spaced pages not including title page and reference page.

Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12-point font.