Early Adulthood PDF

Powered By Early Adulthood - Physiological and Psychosocial Changes • Early adulthood is a stable time of growth, with gradual biological and social changes. • Goals for this stage include choosing careers, fulfilling sexual needs, establishing homes and families, expanding social circles, and devel...

Powered By Early Adulthood - Physiological and Psychosocial Changes • Early adulthood is a stable time of growth, with gradual biological and social changes. • Goals for this stage include choosing careers, fulfilling sexual needs, establishing homes and families, expanding social circles, and developing maturity. • Men continue to grow in height in their vertebrae until age 30, adding about 3 to 5 mm. • Women attain their full statures before their 20s. • Peak bone mass is reached by age 35, followed by a gradual loss of bone mass in women. • Exercise helps increase endurance, strength, and muscle tone. • Muscle mass differs based on nutrition, exercise, and testosterone, with men usually having more muscle mass than women. Physical Changes and Health Considerations in Adulthood • Engaging in vigorous sports declines after the first half of adulthood, leading to interest in other sports like golf. • Capacity and maximum work rate without fatigue decline after age 35, necessitating rest and immobilization. • Wisdom teeth typically erupt in late adolescence or early 20s, but failure to do so can cause pain and overcrowding, requiring surgery. • Gum disease, or gingivitis, affects many adults and is preventable, emphasizing the need for proper oral care. • Access to dental care is associated with age, education, income, ethnicity, race, and geographic location. • All organs and body systems are fully developed and matured by adulthood. • Changes in body shape, body hair growth, and muscle development continue throughout the 20s. • Cardiac output gradually declines after reaching its maximum between ages 20 and 30. • Certain practices like alcohol and tobacco use and consuming high-cholesterol foods increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. • Lung capacity, known as vital capacity, decreases between ages 20 and 40, with smokers experiencing a more rapid decline. • Poor eating habits after age 30 lead to gastric discomforts and indigestion. Aging and Reproductive Health • The basal metabolic rate, which is the amount of energy used at rest, decreases with age, leading to weight gain even with unchanged dietary habits. • Maintaining normal bowel elimination is essential for adults and can be achieved with a diet rich in fiber and adequate fluids. • Changes in skin cells due to sun exposure and pollutants may lead to skin cancer, especially in light-skinned individuals. • Adolescent acne usually clears up by adulthood, but if it persists, various treatment options are available. • After puberty, the number of cells in the nervous system and brain size decrease, resulting in changes in sensation and perception. • Reaction time increases until age 25, but the speed and accuracy of perceptions remain unaffected. • Presbyopia, a decreased ability to see objects at close distances, typically occurs after age 40. • Hearing ability is best at age 20, and gradual hearing loss may occur afterward. • Reproductive health is typically functioning at its peak capacity during adulthood, and men are generally free of reproductive problems. • Infertility affects approximately 14% of couples, and medical assistance is available, including hormonal treatments and assisted reproduction techniques. • During the COVID-19 pandemic, the infertility rate reached a record low. • Couples experiencing difficulty conceiving should seek counseling and medical supervision. • Fertility testing and evaluation can result in expensive medical bills. • For couples who are not successful with infertility treatment, support and consideration of other options are needed. • Helpful hints for infertility include determining ovulation time, planning intercourse every other day during fertile period, and practicing deep vaginal penetration. • It is advised to avoid using lubricants or douches and for the female to remain lying on her back for 20 minutes after intercourse. • Vital signs for adults include a resting heart rate of 60-90 beats per minute, respiratory rate of 12-18 breaths per minute, and blood pressure readings of 120 systolic or less and 80 diastolic or less. • High blood pressure should be treated if 130/80 mm Hg or higher, based on AHA guidelines. • Developmental milestones for this age group include career establishment, fulfilling sexual needs, establishing homes and families, expanding social circles, and developing maturity. • Muscle strength and coordination peak in the 20s and 30s and gradually decline from age 30 to 60. • Sexual development includes anatomy, gender identity, relationships, and thoughts and attitudes about sex. • Factors influencing sexuality development include biological development, personality traits, cultural and social influences, and religious and ethical values. • Education expands knowledge and understanding of sexual behavior, promoting positive feelings and communication in relationships. • Fulfilling sexual needs involves experiencing and sharing love, which incorporates intimacy, passion, and commitment. • Most adults have established comfortable patterns of sexual behavior by their mid-20s. Understanding Human Sexual Response, Intimate Partner Violence, Psychosocial Development, and Career Choices • The sexual response cycle consists of four stages: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution. The excitement phase involves muscle tension and vasocongestion in reproductive organs. Heightened excitement occurs during the plateau phase before orgasm. Orgasm involves rhythmic contractions and ejaculation in males. Physiological responses to sexual arousal include increased blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle tension, as well as swelling of genital tissues. • Intimate partner violence includes physical, verbal, sexual, and psychological abuse. It can have serious consequences, including homicide. Strategies to prevent and support victims include teaching relationship skills and providing supportive services. • Adults should develop a strong sense of identity to accomplish intimacy. Intimacy involves emotional connections and requires introspection, trust, and the ability to give of oneself. Uncertainty in identity can lead to isolation and self-absorption. • Understanding work roles is crucial for understanding adult life. Work plays a major role in personal, social, cultural, and financial survival. Critical work milestones include being hired, promoted, fired, and retirement. Most adults work. The Impact of Work Roles on Individual Identity and Mental Health • Work roles influence an individual's sense of identity in society based on their occupation and income. • Work can have different meanings for different people, ranging from prestige to disappointment. • Work can enhance self-worth, respect, and creativity, and may also represent service to others. • Both men and women enter the workforce with hopes of upward mobility and economic opportunities. • Work-role success is often measured by wages, promotions, and the ability to accumulate possessions. • Job security is a concern due to downsizing, economic instability, and the high costs of retirement plans and health care. • Millennials face financial burden and insecurity, often returning to their parents' home due to limited job prospects. • The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated financial difficulties, disproportionately affecting women, particularly women of color. • Unemployment causes increased stress and can lead to serious psychological and social problems. The Impact of Job Loss, Women in the Workforce, and Establishing a Home and Family • Whether it is a permanent or temporary job loss, individuals suffer from a loss of income and self-worth. • Lengthy unemployment can lead to depression and social isolation. • Women in the workforce face pressures from family, self, and work. • Balancing occupation with marriage, childbearing, and parenting can create conflicts and obstacles for women's careers. • Women now pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated fields such as law, business, medicine, and engineering. • Women in the workplace encounter sexual harassment and inequities more frequently than men. • Sexual harassment can create a hostile work environment and hinder career advancement. • Sexism leads to stereotyping and unequal treatment based on traditional gender roles. • Victims of negative stereotyping may undervalue themselves. • There is still a significant earnings gap between men and women. • Women globally are standing together to bring attention to injustices. • Young adults in early adulthood aim to establish a home and family. • Families today are becoming more diverse in format and structure. • Some young adults can leave their families of origin and start homes of their own. • Others may not have the financial means to do so immediately. Social Relationships and Life Choices in Adulthood • Where individuals settle down depends on available jobs and income. • Some young adults choose to stay close to their families. • Adults must decide whether to marry or remain single. • Many young adults in the US delay marriage or choose to live alone. • Unmarried couples living together have significantly increased. • Today's couples often have fewer children or choose not to have children. • Pregnancy and childbearing are often delayed until career and financial stability are achieved. • Relationships can be long-lasting or short-lived, depending on individual goals and needs. • Adults who haven't resolved identity conflicts struggle in close relationships. • Clear roles must be established to minimize conflicts in relationships. • Starting a family and raising children is an individual choice. • Adults may delay parenting for career reasons, remain childless, or choose single parenthood. • Adult friendships are formed based on similarity of life stage and can last a long time. • Reciprocity, compatibility, respectability, and proximity are important in intimate friendships. • Adult friendships occur in various settings and provide emotional support. • Mature adults have internal and external controls, established life philosophies, and broad perspectives. Understanding Maturity, Cognitive Development, Adult Learning, and Moral Development • Maturity is characterized by caring, respecting others, taking responsibility for actions, and handling setbacks without losing sight of goals. • Adult cognitive development involves being objective, solving problems, and using information to reason and set priorities. • Intelligence is often measured through testing and recall of acquired knowledge, which may disadvantage those from lower socioeconomic levels. • Young adults often attend colleges or vocational schools to expand their awareness and understanding of the world. • Adult learners thrive in a climate of mutual respect, trust, support, and caring, with reinforcement as a strong motivator. • Most adults are in the postconventional stage of moral development, choosing principles and rules based on the context in which they occur. Highly moral individuals prioritize respecting the rights of others. Perspectives on Morality and Nutrition • Some views on morality extend beyond love, ethics, and justice to a state of mutual satisfaction. • A true understanding of oneself and others leads to mutual satisfaction, described as a feminist perspective of morality. • Morality is highly individual and often influenced by religious teachings. • In most families, the mother's religious values and beliefs are more likely to be practiced than those of the father. • Healthy People 2030 aims to promote health and decrease chronic disease through a healthful diet and appropriate weight maintenance. • Nutritional foods should be more accessible to decrease obesity and prevent household food insecurity and hunger. • Nutrition and eating habits significantly affect physical and mental health and development throughout life. • A sound diet is crucial for overall well-being, with caloric requirements based on age, body size, physical activity, and sex. • Men generally require 2700 to 3000 calories per day, while women need 1600 to 2100 calories per day. • Individual caloric intake should be adjusted based on lifestyle to maintain desired body weight. • Recommended protein intake is 15% of daily caloric intake for adults. • Protein sources include low-fat or fat-free dairy products, meat and fish, legumes, soy products, and nuts. • Consuming fish, especially types rich in omega-3 fatty acids (e.g., salmon, trout, mackerel, and bluefish), lowers the risk of heart disease. • Fish oil supplements may be recommended under medical supervision but excessive intake can be harmful. • Flaxseed oil can be used as a source of omega-3 fatty acids for those on plant-based diets. • Only a small amount of fat is necessary in the diet for good health. • Excess fat contributes to obesity and raises blood cholesterol levels. • High serum cholesterol is a major cause of coronary artery disease. • Ratios of LDLs, HDLs, and triglycerides are used to assess heart disease and stroke risk. • Table 11.1 provides a summary of different types of fats. 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