Impact of Physical Changes on Psychosocial Development in Middle Adulthood

Middle Adulthood
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Middle Adulthood
Middle adulthood is generally cited as the age between 45 and 65 years. Often, many physical changes occur during middle adulthood. In middle adulthood, most people develop more gray hair, thinning of hair, a decline in vision, and even hearing loss. Adults in this period also report weight gain, joint pain, chronic wrinkles, and a decline in skin elasticity (Ford & Ford, 2016). Women in middle adulthood may also experience menopause. The physical changes can increase emotional turmoil, causing anxiety and distress in middle adulthood (Ford & Ford, 2016). Such stress can cause affect internal decline or health issues such as heart disease or poor digestive system.
The development stage of generativity versus stagnation is the seventh stage in Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development. It falls between 40 and 65 years, with generativity characterized by motivation to produce or nurture things that will outlast the individual (Malone et al., 2016). Generativity focuses on “making a mark” on the world. For example, parenting, helping other people or contributing to social development. Stagnation oc...