Middle and Late Adulthood by Jessica Bryan https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo en-us 2018-03-22 12:25:23 UTC 2018-03-25 17:19:46 UTC hello@padlet.com Life Span Developmental Theory bryan_j https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245723379
  • A multi-faceted approach to viewing development.
  • Theories that take this approach assume that change and development continues from birth until death.
  • Provides an organizational framework for all developmental processes across the life span, helps to reflect the continuity of change.
    • ]]>     2018-03-24 12:53:18 UTC https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245723379     Gains and Losses bryan_j https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245724874
  • From this perspective, development is characterized by gains and losses at every age, across the life span. 
  • Gains are more obvious in the early stages and losses are more obvious in the later stages. 
    • ]]>     2018-03-24 13:13:49 UTC https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245724874     Adaptive Functioning bryan_j https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245725889 Growth - addition of new characteristics, knowledge and skills
    Maintenance (resilience) -     finding strategies for continued functioning despite challenges or loss
    Regulation of loss -     involves adjusting our expectations in order to accept a lower level of functioning]]>     2018-03-24 13:26:15 UTC https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245725889     Successful Development in Middle and Late Adulthood bryan_j https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245726545 The shift in development from higher gains to higher losses in middle adulthood also shifts the balance among the adaptive functions most necessary for successful coping. More of the individual's energy must be spent managing loss (maintenance and regulation).]]> 2018-03-24 13:33:47 UTC https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245726545 Age-Graded Change bryan_j https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245727530 Physical - most sensory systems decline in sensitivity or acuity, gradual reduction of reproductive ability, wrinkling and sagging of skin, increase in body fat, increase in pain sensitivity.
    Cognitive - some decline in fluid intelligence (executive functions) - including processing speed, working memory, self-regulation and cognitive flexibility. Crystallized intelligence does not usually decrease and for some can continue to increase into old age. This type of intelligence is the compilation of skills and information an individual has acquired across her life span.
    Life-Task - change in the use of cognitive skills as the individual faces new problems related to age and role in life. Involve structural changes in self-concept and self-expression. 
    • Generativity - most important in mid adulthood, involves producing and building for the next generation
    • Ego integrity - most important in late adulthood, involves developing the sense that she has lived a life with order, meaning and dignity
    ]]>     2018-03-24 13:43:27 UTC https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245727530     History-Graded Change bryan_j https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245727687 Cohort effects - historical events that affect an entire cohort or generation. Events such as war, depression and technological shifts provide a context for development and influence it directly.
    Social gradient - step-wise top-to-bottom phenomenon of social organization in which, "advantage or disadvantage in one phase of the life course is likely to have been preceded by, and to be succeeded by, similar advantage or disadvantage in the other phases of life" (Broderick et. al., 2015, p. 494)]]>     2018-03-24 13:44:27 UTC https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245727687     Nonnormative Change bryan_j https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245727706 Nonnormative events - unexpected events experienced by an individual which influence that individuals development, much like historical events affect a cohort.]]> 2018-03-24 13:44:37 UTC https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245727706 Developmental Tasks in Mid and Late Adulthood: Intimacy and Generativity bryan_j https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245824634 2018-03-25 13:34:44 UTC https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245824634 Intimacy: Marriage and Family bryan_j https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245824776 Marriage - the traditional structure in which intimate adult relationships exist.
    Not the only possible path, but the majority of individuals will be married or part of a committed relationship for at least some period of time.
    The Family Life Cycle
    • traditional family development in intact marriages presented in stagelike sequence
    • may not be the best fit for all people, especially with a broad variety of non-traditional style families that exist today
    • can be used to better understand many kinds of intimate adult relationships, even if they differ from the norm
    • Stages: married without children, childbearing families, families with preschool children, families with schoolchildren, families with teenagers, families as launching center, middle aged parents, aging family members
    • Transitions and challenges within these stages:
      • a committed couple must synthesize the couples original family systems
      • when/if the couple has children, caretaking responsibilities must be incorporated into marital system
      • once children are in the adolescent period, the family must adapt to increasing demands for independence
      • next a couple must transition to their children leaving home, renegotiate the marriage
      • adult children must balance attachments with parents and others
    ]]>     2018-03-25 13:36:11 UTC https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245824776     Generativity: Parenting, Work and Community bryan_j https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245825952 Parenting
    • For many people, raising children is a major part of adulthood and may have a major impact on marital relationships. 
    • Each stage of the child's life presents new and transformative challenges for the parent.
    • Feelings of generativity change as both parents and children age
    • Children may find themselves as caretakers to elderly parents upon reaching adulthood
    Work and Community
    • In middle adulthood, one may have the sense of being an expert in one's field of work
    • Time invested in work must be balance with time spent with family and friends
    • A sense of generativity is dependent on  how creative and productive an individual feels. A feeling of generative accomplishment is directly related to self-knowledge and identity development.
    • Generativity, "seems to be foreshadowed in the personality characteristics that emerge in adolescence and young adulthood." (Broderick et. al, 2015, p.516
    ]]>     2018-03-25 13:47:46 UTC https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245825952     Impact on Counseling bryan_j https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245826777
  • Being aware of the relative proportions of gain vs. loss in a clients life, "may provide professionals with a frame for understanding presenting problems" (Broderick et. al., 2015, p. 482)
  • Awareness of adult life-stage theories may help the counselor form a better understanding of the client
  • A clearer understanding of how development is negatively affected by factors such as low SES and minority status will, "increase our repertoire of effective prevention strategies" (Broderick et. al. 2015, p. 496)
  • Knowledge of cohort and nonnormative events a client has experienced is essential for a complete understanding of the individual.
  • Aging is not always easy but it is inevitable. A counselor can help the aging client to accept this fact and view the changes that come with age in a more positive light
    • ]]>     2018-03-25 13:54:50 UTC https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245826777     Impact on Counseling: Addressing Problematic Relationships and Divorce bryan_j https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245830727
  • Knowledge of relevant research can provide the counselor with a, "framework for understanding the life of a marriage, the behaviors that lead to successful outcome, and the behaviors that may foreshadow divorce" (Broderick et. al, 2015, p. 506)
  • Counselor may need to identify sources of stress and if they are coming from nonnormative or normative causes.
  • Stress and disagreement are inevitable parts of long-term relationships. The most successful therapies blend conflict management skills with positive relationship enhancement. 
  • Counselor may help improve communication and problem-solving skills, introduce cognitive techniques to change negative thoughts, or teach methods for more effective management of emotions.
    • ]]>     2018-03-25 14:29:07 UTC https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245830727     Impact on Counseling: Generativity, Job Loss and "Off-Time" bryan_j https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245833074 Generativity
    • Counselors frequently work with adults struggling to find effective ways of resolving "work-life conflict"
    • Counselors can also be a support for those in the "sandwich generation", helping clients face the challenges of parenting and elder care - stressors that can put the client at risk for physical and mental health problems
    Job Loss
    • Job loss is a nonnormative event that may alter one 's life course and is strongly correlated with mental and physical health problems.
    • Counselors must account for psychological consequences such as increased stress, anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, and possible physical problems that may result.
    Off-Time
    • The feeling that one has not accomplished normative achievements "on-time"
    • Counselors must be aware of this possible source of stress and help to find more flexible views of generativity and accomplishment.

    ]]>     2018-03-25 14:48:59 UTC https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245833074     Well-Being in Middle and Late Adulthood bryan_j https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245835261 Worldly Goods - rising income and material gain increase happiness only when other conditions are met (ie. close relationships, positive outlook)
    Personality - some personality traits such as extroversion and neuroticism are strongly correlated with subjective measures of well-being
    Relationships - quality and quantity of social relationships is directly related to well-being and is consistent across cultures
    Work, Achievement, Generativity     - sense that one's skills and efforts are positively contributing to the world is linked to well-being
    Universal Needs and Values - living a life that meets our fundamental and universal needs is extremely important for promotion of well-being
    Meaning, Religion and Spirituality     - resolves one's need for feeling as though life has a purpose, the need to feel a sense of control and helps justify one's actions
    Culture - cultural differences in what is viewed as most valuable affect how well-being should be assessed]]>     2018-03-25 15:07:44 UTC https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245835261     Stress and Coping bryan_j https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245835735 Stress - has a clear impact on a person's mental and physical health and takes on many different forms
    • Life events - traumatic events with a clear onset
    • Daily Hassles - chronic problematic situations
    Resilience - "presence of healthy coping and adaptation in spite of challenges and risks" (Broderick et. al., 2015, p. 539)


    ]]>     2018-03-25 15:11:02 UTC https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245835735     Impact on Counseling bryan_j https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245839933
  • Everyone experiences stress in life which can have negative affects on health especially later in life, the counselor may be tasked with helping an individual to best manage these inevitable stressful circumstances.
  • Cultivating healthy mental habits is important to manage stress reactions that may compromise a clients health.
  • There are many paths to well-being including, "the development of mastery and optimism, teaching of effective problem solving and decision making, encouragement of social competence, support for health-promoting behaviors...and advocacy for improved environmental circumstances." (Broderick et. al, 2015, p. 550)
  • Mindfulness approach - includes learning to transform stressful situations in a skillful way instead of attempting to avoid or eliminate them and is linked with decreases in depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and sleep disturbance
  • Forgiveness - promotes healing through examination of a stressful or traumatic event, readjustment of views, possible promotion of empathy and, finally, integration of the event into one's life story
  • Self-compassion - extending care and empathy to oneself and others, involves deliberate cultivation of elements that make life worthwhile

    • ]]>     2018-03-25 15:42:41 UTC https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245839933     Challenges and Change in Late Adulthood bryan_j https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245842930 Physical
    • Noticeable losses in functioning of biological systems
    • Maintaining physical and mental health is more challenging
    • Sensory deficits (visual and auditory)
    • Increased pain, stiffness, and swelling of joints
    Cognitive
    • Atrophy of fontal lobes
    • Decline in executive functions
    • Possible development of syndromes that affect brain function (ie. dementia)
    Stereotypes and Age Discrimination
    • A set of widely held beliefs about older people that can lead to, "uniform treatment of older people regardless of their own individual characteritics" (Broderick et. al., 2015, p. 567)
    • Reactions and expectations that are triggered by stereotypes appear to interfere with social interactions
    • One's sense of well-being is diminished when faced with age discrimination
    ]]>     2018-03-25 16:04:49 UTC https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245842930     Experiencing Loss: Death and Grief bryan_j https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245849715
  • The unknown territory of death is unavoidable in old age
  • A "good death" is related to individuals control over decision-making in regards to treatment and care
  • Stage-like theories have been proposed to explain the process of death and grief, although they do not reflect all possible ways of managing the dying process
    • ]]>     2018-03-25 16:56:17 UTC https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245849715     Impact on Counseling bryan_j https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245851222
  • Counselor must remain flexible when working with an aging client
  • Counselor may be younger than the client and should be prepared to spend more time building rapport due to the clients resistance 
  • Group therapy is very effective when working with this population as the client may view peers as better able to understand his realities as opposed to the  younger counselor
  • Physical environment may need to be altered due to clients inability to sit for extended periods, vision or hearing impairments
  • Counselors should encourage healthy habits and facilitate the development of self-efficacy by challenging older patients without overwhelming them
  • Counselors must remember that there is great variation in how individuals grieve and process death and dying
  • Counselors can use well-honed communication skills to the advantage of the patient at the end of life, helping them understand end-of-life treatment options and helping ensure that the individual has a sense of a "good death"
    • ]]>     2018-03-25 17:07:37 UTC https://padlet.com/bryan_j/9lqcoeq3gffo/wish/245851222