Lesson 2: Early Adulthood, Middle Adulthood, and Later Adulthood  Conceptual, problem-solving, and motor skills have improved.
 Preferred occupational areas are being identified.
Psychosocial Development
Early Adulthood, Middle Adulthood, and Later Adulthood
According to psychologist Erik Erikson, a human being's life
encompasses eight stages of psychosocial development, each
presenting a psychosocial crisis. The goal is to integrate physical,
maturational, and societal demands to overcome the crisis.
Unsuccessful resolution of the crisis results in an emotional
handicap.
STAGES DETAILS
Early Adulthood  Psychosocial crisis:
intimacy versus isolation
 Task: establishing
intimate bonds of love
and friendship
 Successful resolution:
ability to love deeply and
commit oneself to a
relationship
 Unsuccessful resolution:
emotional isolation,
egocentricity
Middle Adulthood  Psychosocial crisis:
generativity versus
stagnation
 Task: fulfilling life goals
that involve family,
career, and society
 Successful resolution:
ability to give and care for
others and guide others
 Unsuccessful resolution:
self-absorption; inability
to grow as a person
Later Adulthood  Psychosocial crisis:
integrity versus despair
 Task: looking back over
one’s life and accepting its
meaning
 Successful resolution:
sense of integrity and
fulfillment
 Unsuccessful resolution:
dissatisfaction with life
Early Adulthood
Description
 Period between the late teens and the middle to late thirties
Physical Changes
 Physical growth is usually complete by age 20.
 People in this group are generally quite active.
 Severe illnesses are less common than in older groups, but people in
early adulthood tend to ignore physical symptoms and postpone
seeking health care.
 Lifestyle habits such as smoking, stress, lack of exercise, poor
personal hygiene, and family history of disease increase the risk of
future illness.
Cognitive Changes
 People in this group generally demonstrate rational thinking habits.
Psychosocial Changes
 Young adults are separating from their families of origin.
 Much attention is paid to occupational and social pursuits to
improve socioeconomic status.
 Decisions regarding career, marriage, and parenthood are being
made.
 Young adults must adapt to new situations.
Sexuality
 The emotional maturity needed to engage in mature sexual
relationships has developed.
 Young adults are at risk for sexually transmitted infections.
Middle Adulthood
Description
 Period between the middle to late thirties and the middle sixties
Physical Changes
 The changes of aging become evident between 40 and 65 years.
 The individual becomes aware that changes in reproductive and
physical abilities signify the beginning of another stage in life.
 Physiological changes often have an impact on self-concept and
body image.
 Physiological concerns include stress, level of wellness, and the
formation of positive health habits.
Cognitive Changes
 People in this group may become interested in learning new skills,
possibly through educational or vocational programs for people
entering the job market or changing careers.
Psychosocial Changes
 Changes may include expected events such as children moving away
from home (postparental family stage) or unexpected events such as
the death of a close friend.
 Time and financial demands decrease as children move away from
home, and couples face redefinition of their relationships.
 People in this group may become grandparents and are achieving
generativity.
Sexuality
 Many couples renew their relationships and find increased marital
and sexual satisfaction.
 The onset of menopause and climacteric may affect sexual health.
 Stress, health, and medications can affect sexuality.
Later Adulthood
Description
 Period between 65 years and death; also referred to as older
adulthood
Physiological Changes
Integumentary System
 Loss of pigment in hair and skin
 Wrinkling of the skin
 Thinning of the epidermis and easy bruising and tearing of the skin
 Decreased skin turgor, elasticity, and subcutaneous fat
 Increased nail thickness and slowed nail growth
 Decreased perspiration
 Dry, itchy, scaly skin
 Seborrheic dermatitis and keratosis formation
Neurological System
 Slowed reflexes
 Slight tremors and difficulty with fine motor movement
 Loss of balance
 Increased incidence of awakening after onset of sleep
 Increased susceptibility to hypothermia and hyperthermia
 Short-term memory may decline (although long-term memory is
usually maintained)
These physiological changes place the client at risk for injury.
Musculoskeletal System
 Diminished muscle mass and strength and muscle atrophy
 Decreased mobility, range of motion, flexibility, coordination, and
stability
 Change of gait to a shortened step and wider base
 Changes in posture and stature resulting in a decrease in height
 Increased brittleness of the bones
 Deterioration of joint capsule components
 Kyphosis of the dorsal spine
These physiological changes place the client at risk for injury.