Glossary / Lexicon

Deutsch: Erwachsenenalter / Español: Adultez / Português: Idade adulta / Français: Âge adulte / Italiano: Età adulta

Adulthood in psychology refers to the stage of life that follows adolescence and continues until old age. This phase is characterized by significant psychological, emotional, and social development, as well as increased responsibilities and roles.

Description

Adulthood is a major life stage in psychological development, generally beginning at the age of 18 to 21 and continuing until approximately 65 years old, when old age begins. It encompasses several key developmental phases:

• Early Adulthood (20s to 30s): This period involves establishing personal and professional identities, forming intimate relationships, and often starting a family. Individuals focus on building careers, exploring romantic partnerships, and achieving financial independence.
• Middle Adulthood (40s to 60s): During this stage, people often experience stability in their personal and professional lives. There is a focus on maintaining established relationships, career advancement, and possibly parenting teenage or adult children. This phase can also include a reevaluation of life goals and a potential "midlife crisis."
• Late Adulthood (60s and beyond): This period marks the transition to retirement and an increased focus on reflecting on life achievements. Individuals may face physical health challenges, adapt to changes in social roles, and focus on legacy and life satisfaction.

Adulthood involves navigating various developmental tasks, such as:

• Identity Formation: Continuing the development of a stable sense of self, including personal values, beliefs, and goals.
• Intimacy and Relationships: Forming and maintaining close, meaningful relationships, including romantic partnerships and friendships.
• Career and Life Goals: Establishing and achieving career goals, contributing to society, and finding purpose and meaning in work and personal life.
• Parenting and Family: Raising and supporting children, if applicable, and maintaining family dynamics.
• Adaptation to Aging: Coping with physical changes, health issues, and the psychological impact of aging.

Application Areas

Adulthood is relevant in various areas of psychological practice and research:

1. Clinical Psychology: Addressing mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and stress that may arise due to life transitions and challenges in adulthood.
2. Developmental Psychology: Studying the changes and continuities in psychological functioning throughout adult life.
3. Occupational Psychology: Exploring career development, job satisfaction, and work-life balance.
4. Health Psychology: Investigating the impact of lifestyle, stress, and aging on physical and mental health.
5. Social Psychology: Examining how social roles, relationships, and societal expectations influence adult behavior and well-being.

Well-Known Examples

• Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development: Erik Erikson's theory identifies key challenges and tasks in adulthood, such as intimacy vs. isolation in young adulthood, generativity vs. stagnation in middle adulthood, and integrity vs. despair in late adulthood.
• Midlife Crisis: A concept popularized by Elliot Jacques, describing a period of emotional turmoil and reevaluation of life goals that some individuals experience during middle adulthood.
• Retirement Adjustment: The psychological process of adapting to retirement, including finding new purposes and managing changes in social roles and identity.

Treatment and Risks

Adulthood comes with unique challenges and risks that may require psychological intervention:

• Stress and Burnout: Adults often face significant stress from work, family, and financial responsibilities. Therapy can help manage stress and prevent burnout.
• Relationship Issues: Marital or partnership conflicts, parenting challenges, and social isolation can impact mental health. Couples therapy and family counseling can be beneficial.
• Life Transitions: Major life changes such as career shifts, divorce, or the death of a loved one can be traumatic. Support groups and individual therapy can aid in coping with these transitions.
• Mental Health Disorders: Adults may experience mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or substance abuse. Treatment options include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), medication, and support groups.

Similar Terms

• Maturity: Often used interchangeably with adulthood, but can also refer to the psychological growth and emotional stability that comes with age and experience.
• Lifespan Development: The study of human growth and development from birth to old age, including the stages of adulthood.
• Aging: The process of becoming older, encompassing the biological, psychological, and social changes that occur over time.

Articles with 'Adulthood' in the title

• Developmental eras in older adulthood: Developmental eras in older adulthood is defined most often, as older adults- the elderly persons, golden-agers, senior citizens or "the old" are treated as if they were a single developmental cohort
• Developmental tasks in late adulthood: Developmental tasks in late adulthood is a term conceptualized by Erikson as involving a tension between "ego integrity” versus "despair”- successfully resolving this polarity is said to lea d to the virtues of "renunciation and wisdom? . . .
• Late adulthood: Late adulthood is an alternative phrase for "Older adulthood". In psychology, late adulthood is the stage of life that begins around age 65 and extends into the later years of life
• Normative developmental task of older adulthood: Normative developmental task of older adulthood is the achievement of ego integrity versus despair or disgust- according to Erikson- self-actualization (Maslow) reconciliation (Birren)
• Older adulthood: Older adulthood refers to an era in the human life course that follows "middle adulthood" or "middle age". It is sometimes called "late adulthood" and includes those who are 65 years of age or older- encompasses distinctions within this era . . .

Summary

Adulthood in psychology encompasses the significant developmental stages from early adulthood through late adulthood. It involves the pursuit of personal and professional goals, forming and maintaining relationships, and adapting to changes associated with aging. Understanding adulthood is crucial for addressing the psychological needs and challenges that arise during this extensive phase of life.

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