Growth and Development in Nursing

Adulthood is defined by criteria like voting age (18 in the US), financial independence (which varies), and establishing independent living arrangements
Young adults typically have high activity levels, assuming roles in work, home, and the community, and develop corresponding values and attitudes.
Physical prime (peak efficiency) occurs around age 25.
Musculoskeletal system is well-developed and coordinated.
Muscles reach peak strength by age 30 (depending on exercise and genetics).
Men possess larger muscles than women.
Physical changes are minimal during this stage, but weight and muscle mass can change due to diet and exercise.
Young adults are often busy and face various challenges.
Young adults embrace change and adapt to new situations.
Dental maturity is achieved in the twenties.
Reproductive systems are fully developed, a crucial period for childbearing.
Extensive physical and psychosocial changes occur in pregnant and lactating women.
Brain cell development peaks in the twenties.
During the thirties, physical development generally slows progressing into middle age.
Muscle size and strength can be maintained with exercise.
Skin loses elasticity, wrinkles appear.
Hair may thin or gray.
Baldness or early greying is influenced by genetics.
Gradual shrinking of brain cells (no cause for concern).
Hearing declines in the late twenties.

The critical psychosocial task is intimacy or close friendships
Establishing a solid self-image precedes seeking close, intimate relationships
Concerns about lifelong partnership arise
Choosing a partner and having children are major life considerations.
Remaining single is a valid lifestyle choice to pursue education and career goals.
Decisions about education and employment are key elements
New social responsibilities, such as creating friendships and community activity.
People have experienced divorce of parents.
The role of women has evolved, often incorporating careers and civic roles alongside motherhood and/or wifehood.

Erikson: intimacy versus isolation
Newman: individuals identify social and occupational roles while experiencing role-related stress and conflicts.
Havighurst: Selecting a mate; Learning to live with a partner; Starting a family; Rearing children; Managing a home; Getting started in an occupation; Taking on civic responsibility; Finding a congenial social group.

Formal operational thought characterizes the ability to think abstractly and use logic about hypothetical situations.
Young adults are able to consider options based on available information.
They exhibit creativity and intuition.
Young adults can consider multiple possible causes and solutions to a problem.
Young adults are able to focus on specific areas.

Kohlberg: post-conventional moral development level.
Individuals act according to their own self-defined principles, potentially at odds with societal norms to support beliefs.

Individuals may refine or redefine their spiritual beliefs based on new life experiences.
Religious beliefs (or lack thereof) can provide comfort, especially when faced with adversity.

High-risk-takers placing their bodies at risk for injury (suicide, car accidents, etc.)
Injury, violence
Hypertension
Substance abuse
Sexually transmitted infections
Eating disorders (obesity)
Malignancies (testicular cancer most common in men, Breast cancer is most common in women)

This stage is a period of consolidation characterized by stability and growth.
Most people have grown children, now living independently.
Relationships are often focused on companionship.
Interest in interests and activities previously not possible, such as hobbies.
Middle-aged adults are at the peak of their physical and cognitive abilities (maturity).
A decline in strength and stamina frequently occurs in the fifth decade.
Significant physical changes may become evident as age progresses.

Reproductive system: declines in hormone production; women experience menopause.
Appearance: hair thinning and graying, skin loses elasticity and moisture, subcutaneous fat decreases.
Musculoskeletal system: skeletal muscle bulk decreases (around age 60), intervertebral disks thin (height loss), and bone loss is more common in women (particularly in postmenopause)
Metabolism : slows down with age - Weight gain is more common (abdomen, hips, thighs).
Sensory perception: declining visual acuity (especially near vision), hearing loss (high-pitched sounds), and taste alterations
Cardiovascular system - blood vessels lose elasticity and become thicker
Gastrointestinal system - digestion, absorption, and elimination decrease
Urinary system - glomerular filtration rate decline as nephron units are lost.

Memory processes generally remain stable in middle adulthood, but there are some notable decline.
Sensory, short-term, and long-term memory functions remain largely intact, but efficiency may decrease.
Long-term memory shows some decline because of reduced efficiency in retrieval.

Erikson: Generativity versus stagnation (concern for helping the next generation, or self-absorption.)
Havighurst: Achieving adult civic and social responsibility, maintaining financial security, supporting children's development, managing family relationships, adjusting to physiological changes, and adjusting to aging parents.

Cognitive processes such as reaction time, memory, perception, learning, problem solving, and creativity remain stable in middle adulthood.
Cognitive abilities remain strong,
Learning can be enhanced by motivation.
Factors relevant to maintaining cognitive abilities across various groups of middle-aged adults.

Fluid intelligence (reasoning, problem-solving skills independent of culture) declines with age
Crystallized intelligence (accumulated knowledge and skills) holds steady or increases with age.

People may be less rigid in their religious beliefs and views.
Religious beliefs can provide significant comfort as people age.
People often rely on spiritual beliefs to cope with adversity (illness, death, etc.)

Cardiovascular Disease (Heart disease and cancer leading cause of death.) Risk factors include smoking, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, etc.
Obesity (decreased metabolic activity and physical activity)
Injuries (car accidents, falls, fires, etc.)
Cancer (lung, colon, and prostate cancer in men; lung, breast, and colon cancer in women)
Mental Health alterations (anxiety and depression from developmental stressors, pending retirement, situational stressors.)