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Developmental Psychology - Physical, Cognitive Development 45–65

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    Study Guide Developmental Psychology – Physical, Cognitive Development: 45 – 65 1. Health: Age 45 – 65 For many people, health during middle adulthood is generally good to excellent . In the United States, middle - aged adults tend to be healthier if they are college educated , financially stable (earning over $35,000 a year), and white . However, health is not the same for everyone, and some groups face more challenges than others. 1.1 Common Health Concerns Even though many adults feel healthy during this stage, certain health problems become more common. These include: • Arthritis • Asthma and bronchitis • Heart disease • Diabetes • High blood pressure (hypertension) • Genitourinary disorders • Mental health disorders • Stroke (also called a cerebrovascular accident) In addition, AIDS has become a growing health concern for people in this age group. 1.2 Stress in Middle Adulthood Stress is a part of life at every age, but it often feels especially intense during middle adulthood. Stress happens when people feel that the demands placed on them may exceed their ability to cope.

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    Study Guide Middle - aged adults face many possible stressors, such as: • Raising children or supporting family members • Paying a mortgage or managing finances • Fear of job loss or layoffs • Learning new technologies that are constantly changing • Coping with long - term health problems 1.3 Not All Stress Is Bad Interestingly, not all stress comes from negative events. Psychiatrists Holmes and Rahe pointed out that positive events — called eustressors — can also cause stress. These include things like: • Getting married • Going on vacation • Celebrating holidays • Winning the lottery Their research showed that people with higher overall stress levels , whether from good or bad events, are more likely to become ill within the next two years. 1.4 Why Some People Handle Stress Better Than Others People differ in how well they handle stress. This ability is known as hardiness . Hardiness depends on several factors: • How a person interprets stressful events • Whether they feel in control of the situation • Their personality and behavior patterns For example, people with a Type B personality , who are generally relaxed and easygoing , tend to handle stress better. In contrast, Type A personalities , who are more competitive and anxious, often feel more affected by stress.

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    Study Guide 1.5 Death and Health Risks in Middle Age Most people think of death during middle adulthood as premature , yet the risk increases with age. After age 35, the death rate doubles with each decade . Unlike younger adults, middle - aged adults are more likely to die from natural causes rather than accidents. Health and death rates are also influenced by socioeconomic status and race . People who are less educated, live in urban areas, or have lower incomes often experience worse health. Limited access to medical care plays a major role. For example, the death rate among middle - aged Black Americans is nearly twice as high as that of white Americans. 1.6 Work as a Major Source of Stress For many middle - aged adults, the workplace is where stress is felt the most. Some worry that their skills are being questioned because of their age. Others feel pressure to compete with younger employees. Research shows, however, that job success is more closely related to physical and mental abilities than to age itself. 1.7 Common Workplace Stressors Stress at work can come from many sources, including: • Forced career changes • Lack of promotions or raises • Little input in decision - making • Boring or repetitive tasks • Not feeling challenged or fully used • Low pay • Unclear job roles or expectations • Conflicts with supervisors • Limited vacation time • Workaholism (being addicted to work) • Sexual harassment

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