SWK 342

Chapter 15 – Young &

Middle Adulthood
MICHELLE MOAR, LCSW
What does it mean to be an adult?
What defines adulthood?
The Meaning of Adulthood
Definitions are variable
Biological, psychological or social age
Statutory age of maturity
Age 18 through life
Theoretical Approaches to Adulthood
Jung’s Analytic Psychology
Erikson’s Psychosocial Span Theory
Levinson’s Theory of Seasons of Adulthood
Arnett’s “Emerging” Adulthood
Physical Functioning in Young and Middle Adulthood

Physical functioning peaks

Recently more healthy and active lives among those ages 45 to 65
Health Maintenance in Young and Middle Adulthood
Health Challenges
Changes in the brain
Cognition in Young and Middle
Adulthood
Expand, refine, challenge belief systems
Intellectual functioning
Personality and Identity in Young and
Middle Adulthood
Identity development
Independence vs connection
Approaches
◦ Trait
◦ Human agency
◦ Life Narrative
Relationships in Young and Middle
Adulthood
Romantic
Relationships with children
Relationships with parents
Other family relationships
Friendships
Work in Young and Middle Adulthood
Ways work serves individuals
Declines in employment opportunities
Changes in work patterns
Current issues
Implications for Social Work Practice
Recognize individual differences
Explore influential factors in clients’ lives
Collaborate and advocate for solutions
Consider…
Consider your own development and life course up until now. What period or phase in your own
life has been the most challenging?
Knowing what you know now (from your own experiences, experiences of others, from your
academic courses etc)…
◦ What would you want to tell that self?
◦ What would you want to do for that self?