Learning Objectives

  1. Compare one’s own cognitive and emotional reactions to three case studies.
  2. Summarize the changing construction of middle adulthood.
  3. Critique three theories of middle adulthood: Erikson’s theory of generativity, Jung’s and Levinson’s theories of finding balance, and life span theory of the gain-loss balance.
  4. Give examples of biological changes, changes in health status, and intellectual changes during middle adulthood.
  5. Critique three approaches to considering personality changes in middle adulthood: trait approach, human agency approach, and life narrative approach.
  6. Summarize research on spiritual development during middle adulthood.
  7. Describe major themes of relationships in middle adulthood.
  8. Analyze major challenges related to work in middle adulthood.
  9. Give examples of risk factors and protective factors for middle adulthood.
  10. Apply knowledge of middle adulthood to recommend guidelines for social work engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation.