Middle Adulthood : A Lifespan Perspective

by Sherry L. Willis

• ISBN13: 9780761988533
• ISBN10: 076198853X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-06-23
• Publisher: Sage Publications, Inc

Summary

"This book is unique because of the focus on longitudinal studies and international perspectives . . . There is no other book like it . . . This book will be useful both as an advanced undergraduate or graduate course text and as a resource for scholars." - Rosemary Blieszner, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University "A very strong volume . . . [T]his book will clearly be a 'must-have' for scholars interested in midlife." - Michael Marsiske, University of Florida "Midlife is no longer an "uncharted territory" in human development. A group of outstanding researchers from different countries focuses on this peak period in the life span . . . Various views, including historical, cultural, and socio-structural perspectives, are adopted . . . [C]omprehensive reviews of studies on almost all relevant domains of human development . . . are given and provide a colorful picture of what midlife in these days may be all about." - Sigrun-Heide Filipp, University of Trier, Germany Middle adulthood is a critical period of the life course. How we develop in middle age-the central period of our lives-can influence how well we cope in our later years. Middle Adulthood: A Lifespan Perspective explores these issues by bringing together a distinguished group of international contributors associated with a range of prestigious longitudinal studies. Key Features : Presents a much-needed longitudinal, lifespan perspective on middle age Provides a multicultural perspective to determine universal normative patterns of midlife development Addresses a broad scope of topics, including historical perspectives on the emergence of middle age as a normative developmental period in the life course, change and stability in personality, and cognitive development and decline Middle Adulthood is designed for scholars, researchers, and practitioners in the field of adult development and aging. It is an excellent text for advanced undergraduate and graduate students studying midlife development in the departments of Developmental Psychology, Human Development and Family Studies, Gerontology, Family Diversity, and Health. Visit our Web site at www.sagepublications.com

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
PART I: THE STUDY OF MIDDLE AGE: HISTORICAL AND DEMOGRAPHIC PERSPECTIVES	1	(62)
1. Historical Perspectives of Middle Age Within the Life Span	3	(32)
Hans-Werner Wahl and Andreas Kruse
2. The Midlife Generation in the Family: Patterns of Exchange and Support	35	(28)
Martin Kohli and Harald Künemund
PART II: EARLY LIFE INFLUENCES ON MIDDLE AGE	63	(144)
3. Genetic Influences on Midlife Functioning	65	(34)
Nancy L. Pedersen, Erica L. Spotts, and Kenji Kato
4. Personality in Young Adulthood and Functioning in Middle Age	99	(44)
Lea Pulkkinen, Taru Feldt, and Katja Kokko
5. Impact of Past Transitions on Well-Being in Middle Age	143	(36)
Pasqualina Perrig-Chiello and Sonja Perren
6. Cognitive Development in Midlife	179	(28)
Mike Martin and Daniel Zimprich
PART III: IMPACT OF MIDDLE AGE ON FUNCTIONING IN LATE LIFE	207	(174)
7. The Development of Physical and Mental Health From Late Midlife to Early Old Age	209	(34)
Dorly J.H. Deeg
8. Cognitive Trajectories in Midlife and Cognitive Functioning in Old Age	243	(34)
Sherry L. Willis and K. Warner Schaie
9. Self-Development at Midlife: Lifespan Perspectives on Adjustment and Growth	277	(42)
Jessica Dorner, Charlotte Mickler, and Ursula M. Staudinger
10. Middle Age and Identity in a Cultural and Lifespan Perspective	319	(36)
Freya Dittmann-Kohli
11. Metacognition in Midlife	355	(26)
Christopher Hertzog and Roger A. Dixon
PART IV: SUMMARY AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS	381	(10)
12. Midlife Development: Past, Present, and Future Directions	383	(8)
Mike Martin and Sherry L. Willis
Author Index	391	(16)
Subject Index	407	(12)
About the Editors	419	(1)
About the Contributors	420