Learning Objectives: Psychosocial Development in Middle Adulthood There are many socioemotional changes that occur in how middle-aged adults perceive themselves. While people in their early 20s may emphasize how old they are to gain respect or to be viewed as experienced, by the time people reach their 40s they tend to emphasize how young they are. For instance, few 40 year olds cut each other down for being so young stating: "You're only 43? I'm 48!” A previous focus on the future gives way to an emphasis on the present. Neugarten (1968) notes that in midlife, people no longer think of their lives in terms of how long they have lived. Rather, life is thought of in terms of how many years are left.
In 1978 Daniel Levinson published a book entitled The Seasons of a Man’s Life in which he presented a theory of development in adulthood. Levinson’s work was based on in-depth interviews with 40 men between the ages of 35-45. Levinson (1978) indicated that adults go through stages and have an image of the future that motivates them. This image is called “the dream” and for the men interviewed, it was a dream of how their career paths would progress and where they would be at midlife. According to Levinson the midlife transition (40-45) was a time of reevaluating previous commitments; making dramatic changes if necessary; giving expression to previously ignored talents or aspirations; and feeling more of a sense of urgency about life and its meaning. By the time the men entered middle adulthood (45-50), they believed they committed to the new choices made and placed one’s energies into these commitments. Levinson believed that a midlife crisis was a normal part of development as the person is more aware of how much time has gone by and how much time is left. The future focus of early adulthood gives way to an emphasis on the present in midlife, and the men interviewed had difficulty reconciling the “dream” they held about the future with the reality they experienced. Consequently, they felt impatient and were no longer willing to postpone the things they had always wanted to do. Although Levinson believed his research demonstrated the existence of a midlife crisis, his study has been criticized for his research methods, including small sample size, similar ages, and concerns about a cohort effect. In fact, other research does not support his theory of the midlife crisis. Vaillant (2012) believed that it was the cross-sectional design of Levinson’s study that led to the erroneous conclusion of an inevitable midlife crisis. Instead, he believed that longitudinal studies of an individual’s entire life was needed to determine the factors associated with optimum health and potential. Vaillant was one of the main researchers in the 75 year-old Harvard Study of Adult Development, and he considered a midlife crisis to be a rare occurrence among the participants (Vaillant, 1977). Additional findings of this longitudinal study will be discussed in the next chapter on late adulthood. Most research suggests that most people in the United States today do not experience a midlife crisis. Results of a 10-year study conducted by the MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Successful Midlife Development, based on telephone interviews with over 3,000 midlife adults, suggest that the years between 40 and 60 are ones marked by a sense of well-being. Only 23% of their participants reported experiencing a midlife crisis. The crisis tended to occur among the highly educated and was triggered by a major life event rather than out of a fear of aging (Research Network on Successful Midlife Development, 2007).
Generativity vs. stagnation is the seventh stage of Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development. This stage takes place during middle adulthood, between the approximate ages of 40 and 65. It comes before the eighth and final stage of development in Erikson's theory, which is integrity vs. despair. During this stage, middle-aged adults strive to create or nurture things that will outlast them, often by parenting children or fostering positive changes that benefit others. Contributing to society and doing things to promote future generations are important needs at the generativity vs. stagnation stage of development.
It's important to note that life events at this stage tend to be less age-specific than they are during early- and late-stage life. The major events that contribute to this stage (such as marriage, work, and child-rearing) can occur at any point during the broad span of middle adulthood.
To understand this stage of middle adulthood development, it's helpful to know what the terms generativity and stagnation mean. Generativity refers to "making your mark" on the world by caring for others, as well as through creating and accomplishing things that make the world a better place. Key characteristics of generativity include:
These sorts of actions are frequently realized through having and raising children. Those who are successful during this phase feel that they are contributing to the world by being active in their home and community. Stagnation refers to the failure to find a way to contribute. Stagnant individuals may feel disconnected or uninvolved with their community or with society as a whole. Some characteristics of stagnation include:
Those who fail to attain the generativity skill feel unproductive in and uninvolved with the world.
Hosted by Editor-in-Chief and therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, featuring actress, model, and bestselling author Brooke Shields, shares how to embrace getting older with a positive mindset. Click below to listen now.
 Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts When adults developing a sense of generativity, they benefit from a number of important advantages. Research suggests that generativity can provide a greater motivation to initiate and maintain healthy behaviors. People who feel that they have the power to make a difference may be more likely to pursue health-promoting activities because they believe that such actions can be meaningful. For many adults, parenting plays a key role in the development of a sense of generativity, but it is not the only path. Erikson himself suggested that participating in the lives of others (whether they are one's children, friends, or others) is an important way to gain a sense of making a contribution and difference in the world. The actions required to develop a sense of generativity involve taking an active, participatory role in the world. Generative people are productive in a variety of ways, including teaching, mentoring, and volunteering—both in their personal lives as well as at work. Because generativity is focused on making contributions, people who are able to develop this skill are also more likely to experience a greater sense of satisfaction with themselves and with life in general. They are able to look at their life, family, and work and feel that they have lived a life of consequence and joy. During the early part of adulthood, parenting and family tend to be the dominant factors contributing to the development of generativity. But research has also found that giving assistance to others, often in the form of civic engagement, plays a role in generativity as people age. There are a number of factors that can contribute to the development of either generativity or stagnation during middle age. Here are a few to consider. This aspect of the generativity vs. stagnation stage is centered on the sense of pride that adults take in their families and children. In many ways, it mirrors the autonomy vs. shame and doubt stage of early childhood. Pride can occur through parenting, although not all people who produce offspring become supportive and giving parents. Plus, those who do not have children are still able to give to the next generation in meaningful ways. Feeling part of something, whether it is a family unit or a larger group or community, is essential for the development of generativity. This centers on the scope of caregiving activities and on what and who an individual is willing to include in their life. Research indicates that participating in social organizations can assist with developing generativity by providing feelings of inclusion. This reflects the trust vs. mistrust stage of early childhood. As people go through adulthood, they must choose whether to take responsibility for their lives and choices. This reflects the initiative vs. guilt stage seen earlier during childhood. People who take responsibility are more likely to feel empowered and in control of their lives and destiny. This helps lead to a sense of making a contribution to the world. Work plays a major role in adulthood, so it's no surprise that an individual’s sense of pride and accomplishment in their work can lead to feelings of productivity. This stage mirrors the industry vs. inferiority stage of childhood.
As the generativity stage draws to a close and people approach the final stage of life, finding meaning plays an increasingly critical role. People reach a point where they are beginning to reflect back on their lives and accomplishments, making it important to feel that these achievements have left a lasting mark on the world. When people fail to achieve generativity, they instead develop a sense of stagnation. Such feelings can have an impact on how people manage the later years of their lives. Some of the potential outcomes linked to stagnation include:
It is at this point in life that some people might experience what is often referred to as a "midlife crisis." They may reflect back on their accomplishments, consider their future trajectory, and regret missed opportunities such as going to school, pursuing a certain career, or having children. It is important to note that it is the way that people interpret these regrets that influence their well-being. Those who feel that they have made mistakes, wasted their time, and have no time to make changes may be left feeling bitter. Others might use this crisis as an opportunity to make adjustments in their lives that will lead to greater fulfillment. There are many ways to improve feelings of generativity vs, feelings of stagnation during middle adulthood. You can:
People who have positive relationships with others, good quality health, and a sense of control over their lives often feel more productive and satisfied. Those who suffer from poor health, poor relationships, and feel that they have no control over their fate are more likely to experience feelings of stagnation. If you are feeling this way, there are things that you can do to feel more productive and involved.
Finding ways to combat stagnation can help you stay more active, engaged, and satisfied with your life as you age. The generativity vs. stagnation stage of psychosocial development is when we start to question, "How can I contribute to the world?" Finding ways to advance or enhance future generations can help you work toward generativity instead of having a sense of stagnation. If you want more fulfillment in your life, getting involved in your community, learning new skills, or starting a new hobby are all ways to achieve this goal. Taking actions such as these can help improve your well-being later in life. Frequently Asked Questions
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Who believed that during middle adulthood people go through?
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