DevPsych Week 5 A1 PDF

1 of 3 Supnad, Maree V. 23-0463C Middle Adulthood: Physical, Cognitive and Socioemotional Development Middle adulthood encompasses the ages forty to sixty up to sixty-five years old. It is a transformative phase which is marked by various changes in physical health, cognitive abilities,...

1 of 3 Supnad, Maree V. 23-0463C Middle Adulthood: Physical, Cognitive and Socioemotional Development Middle adulthood encompasses the ages forty to sixty up to sixty-five years old. It is a transformative phase which is marked by various changes in physical health, cognitive abilities, and interpersonal relationships. This period may seem to have been presented by numerous challenges but it also offers opportunities for growth and reflection. By digging deeper through the different challenges brought about by the changes that occur in middle adulthood, we can better understand the complexities of this stage in life. Middle adulthood is a stage that is marked by gradual but significant physical changes. These changes impact the daily life of individuals going through these significant changes. The changes that occur during this stage aren’t as fast as the development of those in their early stages of life or more abrupt like the decline of late adulthood, these changes are more subtle and slowly become noticeable. One of the changes that occur include visible signs of aging, such as having wrinkles, gray hair, and sagging skin. This is because of the reduced production of collagen and melanin. Height loss and weight gain are also common at this stage as bone density decreases while body fat increases. This may lead to health risks such as obesity and osteoporosis. Additionally, a condition named sarcopenia, wherein muscle mass declines, can reduce physical strength and mobility. Those in middle adulthood often also experience the deterioration of their vision and hearing. As they continue to go through middle adulthood, cardiovascular health also becomes a critical concern, often having high cholesterol levels and increased risks of hypertension. Women also experience menopause while men have a gradual decline in their testosterone levels. This marks a hormonal shift that affects women and men in both physical and emotional well-being. These physical changes may impact the day to day activities and life of those in middle adulthood. For instance, having sarcopenia can make physical tasks more difficult to do as this reduces mobility. This results in an individual with sarcopenia to depend more on others when doing physical taxing tasks. Vision and hearing deterioration can affect an individual in their middle adulthood in a way that they would have difficulty communicating with others, thus, possibly limiting the activities that they are more inclined to do such as driving at night and attending crowded events. Increased risks of cardiovascular concerns and other health issues results in the individual having more frequent medical check ups, having a stricter diet, and a need for consistent physical activity or exercise, which could mean living a more health conscious and healthier lifestyle. Hormonal shifts like menopause in women can bring symptoms such as mood swings, hot flashes, nausea and rapid heartbeat can impact overall quality of life. For men, the decline in testosterone levels could impact their energy levels, having less energy as compared to when they were younger, mood changes, and reduced sexual drive, which can affect their relationships and self-esteem. These challenges give importance to proper health management both physically and mentally, in order to have a better quality of life. Cognitive development in middle adulthood is characterized by both growth and decline. According to John Horn, fluid intelligence - one’s ability to reason abstractly, begins to decline as crystallized intelligence or the knowledge gained from experiences, continue to improve. Research from the Seattle Longitudinal Study shows that those in middle adulthood can be at their peak time when it comes to certain intellectual abilities such as verbal comprehension and inductive reasoning, though perceptual speed and numeric facility often show early declines. This may result in slower reaction times when involved in tasks that require quick decision making. Memory also becomes less efficient according to this longitudinal study. This makes learning new information or multitasking more challenging for those in middle adulthood. When  2 of 3 it comes to technology, middle-aged adults are faced with the challenge of adapting to new gadgets and interfaces which require fluid intelligence. According to Denis Park, more time is required for middle-aged adults to learn information, which affects their ability to become proficient in using new technology fast. However, their strong crystallized intelligence and better ability to solve problems can help them make use of this new technology and integrate it into their lives. For instance, they may use their fondation of extensive knowledge in order to use technology to solve problems, even if it takes time for them to become used to these new systems. Through practice and learning one tool or application at a time, they may be able to navigate technological advancements effectively, combining traditional skills with modern tools. This shows how middle-aged adults are capable of adapting and how they are resilient and can become resourceful when needed. Significant changes in terms of relationships with children, siblings, and parents come with middle adulthood. One of the major shifts involves their relationship with their children. As their children become older and leave home to work, start their own families or pursue higher education, parents often experience the “empty nest syndrome.” Having their children transition into adults can require parents to make the necessary adjustment as their children move out of their home. Although a bittersweet moment, the “empty nest” phase can bring new opportunities for parents to reconnect with each other, have time to pursue hobbies, and enjoy their newfound freedom. However, the “empty nest” phase has increasingly become a temporary state due to the economic pressures, societal changes, and delayed life milestones that adult children face. This results in them returning home to live with their parents. The “boomerang kid” or “B2B” generation, brings both challenges and opportunities for families in this situation. This event gives importance in fostering respect and understanding within the family in order to create a happy and harmonious living environment. Middle-aged adults also have challenges when it comes to their relationships with parents. Roles shift as middle-aged adults assume the role of being the caregiver for their aging parents. Being part of the “sandwich generation” wherein they balance caring for their aging parents while supporting their own children can lead to stress and overwhelming feelings. Substantial stress is also experienced by those in their middle adulthood stage when their parents become very ill and succumb to their illness. However, the relationship between the parents and their middle aged adult children may not always be peaceful and ideal. Study shows that generational differences, unresolved conflicts, and differing expectations may affect the relationship and strain the bonds between them. Despite these challenges, having the opportunity to care for their parents is a chance for growth and renewal during the middle adulthood stage. Proper communication, empathy, and mutual respect is essential in order to navigate this challenging period in life. Sibling relationships during middle adulthood can vary from one individual to another. Studies show that many adults that are able to maintain close bonds with their siblings and rely for support during important life events, are able to maintain their close bonds with each other. While some relationships are positive, other sibling relationships revolve around ambivalence or even rivalry. This usually comes from unresolved childhood dynamics or differing lifestyles and values. Despite these challenges, those who are able to work through and nurture their relationships with siblings during middle adulthood often find these relationships to be a good source of support and companionship, making these bonds an important part of life as they go through the following stage of adulthood. Writing this reflection paper has made me look deeper into the lives of middle-aged individuals, specifically my relatives, that are close to me. I was also able to see the cultural similarities and differences involved in the development during middle age.  3 of 3 Filipino culture plays a huge role as it is very family-centric. This results in having more pressure when it comes to the responsibilities my middle-aged adult relatives have when it comes to their family. As I have witnessed, my uncle experiences overwhelming emotions, stress, and pressure when it comes to taking care of his parents. He was given this responsibility as he has no family and is living alone. Knowing that his relationships with his parents were the least bit easy, I know that it is making it hard for him to take on the task wholeheartedly. The culture of “utang na loob” has always been ingrained in our family, making it more difficult to decline the task of taking care of his elderly parents. This also made me reflect on when I get older, I would have to take care of my father. Not because I want to, but because of the “utang na loob” and responsibility of being the only child left in the family. Unlike Western practices wherein individualism is emphasized, Filipino culture revolves around collectivism, placing strong importance on familial obligations and family ties. In the West, the responsibility of elderly care is often given to professional caregivers, making it easier for individuals in their middle age to focus more on their own well being. However, here in the Philippines, declining the responsibility of taking care of your parents, even if they were abusive, is considered to be disrespectful. I have also seen the impact of the different physical changes that occur during middle adulthood on my aunt. Seeing how the impact of the visible signs of aging has impacted her self-esteem and confidence has made me realize how these changes can really affect an individual. She also has been mentioning different aches and pains that she experiences when doing tasks that are physically challenging and how she used to do them faster and easier before. Her mood swings and night sweats, caused by menopause, have also resulted in her having difficulty going through the day effortlessly. This shows going under the menopausal stage impacts women and their quality of life. Changing her eating habits and lifestyle into a healthier one has been of great help to her, especially with the guidance of her doctors and support of our family. When it comes to technology, the older generation in my family was able to show how they could adapt and learn new skills. They were often driven by the necessity to connect with their younger family members, making it easier for them to have patience and perseverance when it comes to learning new gadgets and applications. I have seen them embrace social media platforms, some posting even more than I do. This shows how our cultural tradition of having close family ties can be applied and impact how middle-aged adults adapt to newer forms of technology. Overall, making this reflection paper has given me new knowledge and better understanding towards the older adults in their middle-age adulthood stage. Going through the physical, socioemotional and cognitive changes at this age is not an easy feat. Having challenges such as health concerns, declining fluid intelligence, and being given caregiving responsibilities may be considered difficult, but this stage is also marked with opportunities for self-growth and fostering better relationships. Through understanding the interplay of these various factors and the role of culture, I have been able to appreciate more the resilience and adaptability of my loved ones. This reflection paper has given me better appreciation, awareness and deeper empathy towards the middle aged generation. It has inspired me to not only become more supportive towards them, but also be prepared when the time comes that I myself will be considered a middle-aged adult.