Early Adulthood 19 40 Physical development basically complete

Early Adulthood, 19 - 40 • Physical development: basically complete • Most productive life stage • Prime childbearing time; produces the healthiest babies. • Sexual development is at its peak. • Mental development: • Independence, career choices, lifestyle, spouse, starting a family, values, etc.

Early Adulthood • Emotional development: subjected to many stressors - careers, marriage, family • If strong, they can cope w/ change. • Learn to accept criticism and to profit from mistakes. • Social development: isolation from peer groups and associate c/ others who have similar interest, regardless of age • Interest in marriage and forming a family.

Erikson’s Eight States of Psychosocial Development • Stage of Development: Young Adult • Basic Conflict: Intimacy vs. Isolation • Major Life Event: Love Relationships • Ways to Resolve Conflict: Learn to make personal commitment to others and share life events; if self-identity is lacking, the adult may fear relationships and isolate self from others.

Middle Adulthood 40 – 65 y/o • Physical: body starts decline, females experience menopause • Mental: can continue to increase have experienced a lot so they are more confident with making decisions • Emotional: can be a period of contentment and satisfaction, or it can be a time of crisis: midlife crisis • Social: family relationships decline, while work relationships replace family, divorce rises b/c children are grown

Erikson’s Eight States of Psychosocial Development • Stage of Development: Middle Adult • Basic Conflict: Generativity vs. Stagnation • Major Life Event: Parenting • Ways to Resolve Conflict: Seek satisfaction and obtains success in life by using career, family, and civic interests to provide for the next generation; if adult does not deal with life issues, he/she feels lack of purpose to life and sense failure.

Late Adulthood – 65+ • Physical: all body systems decline, mm lose tone (strength, posture, & bladder), hearing/memory/ hair loss, but all slowly over time • Mental: people who are willing to learn new things show fewer signs of decrease mental ability • Emotional: varies, some cope well with aging, others become lonely, frustrated, withdrawn, and depressed • Social: retirement, more limited circle of friends usually occurs

Erikson’s Eight States of Psychosocial Development • Stage of Development: Older Adult • Basic Conflict: Ego Integrity vs. Despair • Major Life Event: Reflection and Acceptance of Life • Ways to Resolve Conflict: Reflects on life in a positive manner, feels fulfillment with his/her own life and accomplishments, deals with losses and prepares for death; if fulfillment is not felt, adult feels despair about life and fear of death.