Physical and Cognitive Development in Early Adulthood Emerging

Physical and Cognitive Development in Early Adulthood

Emerging Adulthood § Slower than in past to reach milestones of adulthood § Prolonged identity development More education Later career entry § Less available for low SES

Theories of Biological Aging DNA-Cellular Level § Programmed effects of specific genes “Aging genes” Tolomere shortening § Random Events Mutations and cancer Free radicals Organ and Tissue Level § Cross-linkage theory § Gradual failure of endocrine system § Declines in immune system

Cardiovascular & Respiratory Changes § Heart Few resting changes, lower performance under stress Hypertension, atherosclerosis Diseases declining - better lifestyle § Lungs Maximum vital capacity declines after 25 Stiffness makes breathing harder with age

Aging and Athletic Performance

Motor Performance in Adulthood § Athletic skills peak between 20 and 35 Decline gradually until 60 s or 70 s, then faster § Continued training slows loss Keep more vital capacity, muscle, response speed

The Immune System in Early Adulthood Declines after age 20: § Fewer T cells from shrinking thymus § B cells don’t work as well without T cells § Stress weakens immune response

Rate of First Births to Women by Age

Leading Causes of Death in Early Adulthood

SES and Self-Reports of Health

Causes of Overweight § Heredity § Environmental pressures Cheap fat and sugar Supersize portions Busy lives § Snacks § Take-out Lack of exercise

Consequences of Overweight § Health Problems Blood pressure, heart Diabetes Liver, gallbladder Arthritis Sleep, digestive § Social discrimination Housing Education, careers § Mistreatment

Treating Obesity § § § Diet and exercise Eating records Social support Problem-solving skills Extended intervention

Dietary Fat § Saturated Fat From meat and dairy Solid at room temperature No more than 10% of daily calories § Unsaturated Liquid vegetable oils § Total fat 30% or less of daily calories

Variations in Dietary Fat and High Blood Pressure Among Black Africans

Exercise § Only one third get enough At least 30 minutes moderate five or more days a week More often, more vigorous is better § Around one third of North Americans are inactive Women Low SES

Benefits of Exercise § Reduces fat, builds muscle § Boosts immune system, prevents some diseases § Cardiovascular benefits § Mental health benefits Stress reduction Self-esteem § Longer life

Substance Use in Early Adulthood § Peaks from 19 -22 years, then declines But up to 20% ages 21 -25 are substance abusers Cigarettes, chewing tobacco Alcohol § Binge drinking Drugs § Marijuana § Stimulants § Prescription drugs § Party drugs

Cigarette Smoking § 25% of Americans, 19% of Canadians Numbers slowly declining Less with higher education, but many college students smoke More women smoking Most smokers start before age 21 § Deadly health risks § Hard to quit Most in treatment programs restart

Alcohol Abuse in Early Adulthood § 13% of men, 3% of women heavy drinkers About 1/3 of these alcoholics § § Genetic, cultural factors in alcoholism Causes mental, physical problems High social costs Treatment is difficult Half relapse in months

Heterosexual Sexual Activity in Early Adulthood § 90% have intercourse by age 22 § Most sex in the context of relationships 70% only 1 partner in past year Partners similar to each other § Sex infrequent Only 1/3 twice a week or more More often in 20 s, declines with age § Most are satisfied Over 80% of those in relationships Minority report problems

Sex Difference in Sexual Attitudes § Women more opposed to casual sex More men looking for play and pleasure § Men more upset by sexual infidelity; women by emotional § Lifetime number of partners similar for men and women Attitudes grow more similar with age

Homosexuality and Bisexuality in Early Adulthood § 2. 8% of men, 1. 4% of women Estimated 30% same-sex couples do not report § Similar behavior to heterosexuals § Public acceptance growing Majority say it’s “OK, ” support civil liberties, job opportunities § Most well-educated; live in larger cities, college towns

Dangers of Sex § STDs AIDS § Sexual Coercion Rape Abuse

Factors Related to Sexual Coercion Perpetrator Characteristics § Believe traditional gender roles § Approve violence against women; accept rape myths § Perceive behavior inaccurately § History of own abuse, promiscuity § Alcohol abuse Cultural Forces § Men taught dominance, competition, aggression Women submission § Acceptance of violence § Aggressive pornography

Consequences of Rape and Sexual Abuse § Trauma response Immediate shock Long-term problems § Depression § § Physical injury STDs General ill health Negative behaviors

Preventing and Treating Rape and Abuse § Community services Underfunded Few for men § Routine screening § Validation of experience § Safety planning

Stress § Related to Illness Unhealthy behavior § Caused or worsened by Low SES Challenges of early adulthood

Fostering a Healthy Adult Life § Healthy eating § Maintain reasonable weight § § § Keep fit Control alcohol No smoking Responsible sex Manage stress

The College Experience § Formative, influential “developmental testing ground” § Exposure to new ideas, beliefs, demands leads to cognitive growth, new thinking patterns Relativistic thinking Increased self-understanding § Depends on participation in campus life

Dropping Out of College § 30 -50% drop out § Personal factors Preparation, motivation, skills Financial problems, low SES § Institutional factors Little help, community Cultural disrespect

Periods of Vocational Development § Fantasy period § Tentative period § Realistic period Exploration Crystallization

Factors Influencing Vocational Choice § § § Personality Family influences Teachers Gender stereotypes Access to vocational information

Personality Types and Vocational Choice § § § Investigative Social Realistic Artistic Conventional Enterprising

Vocational Preparation of Non College-Bound North American high-school graduates poorly prepared to work § Lack vocational placement, counseling Fewer opportunities than in past Limited jobs § Work-study, apprenticeships can help Rare in North America Europe has model systems