Reviews an extensive list of books and articles on middle-aged adults to assist practitioners in the helping professions (including educators and career and psychological counselors). (SK)

Literature concerning women's development at midlife is reviewed. Attention is given to the tendency to focus on women's reproductive roles and to frame psychosocial development in relationship to reproductive status. Such deterministic approaches are entwined with heterosexist bias. The loom of Penelope is proposed as a metaphor of women's…

Presents a critique of research on midlife adult career development, outlining a multidimensional theory based on the work of Levinson, Super, Erickson, Hall, and others. Elaborates some limitations of life stage research and discusses implications for education-work policy and practice. (SK)

This literature review produces six generalizations: (1) creative career trajectories differ; (2) productivity declines in differing degrees; (3) creative production varies across disciplines; (4) ratios of quality to quantity do not change with age; (5) individuals vary greatly in terms of creative potential; and (6) creative productivity often…

Studies of the adult cycle often concentrate on ordered life events. Researchers deny importance to unanticipated events. However, for women at middle age, trends in the number of divorces, widows, and women entering the labor force indicate that unanticipated events are of central importance in assessing women's experience. (Author)

Reviewing the literature on mid-life, the author concludes that many changes occur during middle age, but a mid-life crisis is not universal or age specific. (SK)

The research discussed in this article focuses on the relationship between siblings in adulthood and the relationship's effects on the siblings themselves. The report begins with a substantial review of the literature on siblings in adulthood, focusing on the meaning of the sibling relationship, methodological problems in studying adult siblings,…

Explores the relationship between retirement planning and demographic and attitudinal factors. One-third of the sample had planned for retirement. Planning was more common among males and high-status individuals. (Author)

Mid-life women in increasing numbers are seeking the assistance of mental health professionals to address critical development and contextual issues. The myriad of social and cultural changes of the past two decades have had a profound effect on the type, intensity, and prevalence of problems currently experienced by women between 30-50 years of…

The past 15 years have brought a re-evaluation of women's adult development in light feminist thinking. However, many outdated assumptions in psychological theory remain comfortably ensconced; to challenge these ideas, some misrepresentations of women's experience are examined. The focus is on Erik Erikson's explanation of the second stage of…

Examined the impact of the loss of a parent on middle-aged children. A lifelong process of anticipatory orphanhood is suggested as helping to prepare for the impact of a parent's death. Reaction involves the dialectic between the persistence and breaking of the bond and between finitude and personal growth. (JAC)

Reviews life cycle theories of developmental psychology and examines their applications in addressing the needs of adults who work in schools. Structural changes are needed if schools are to be responsive to the developmental needs of adults. (BJV)

Research evidence has accumulated to indicate that a sixth stage of career development--career renewal--occurs for many people between the end of the establishment stage and the beginning of the maintenance stage. Explains why a renewal stage was overlooked in the past, clarifies the meaning, and compares transitions of women and men. (Author/JBJ)

Midlife crises require different behavioral responses for women who have made decisions about marriage, motherhood, and career. For women experiencing midlife crises, assertiveness training has the potential to resolve conflicts. Assertiveness training (AT) consists of three components, i.e., skills training, anxiety reduction, and cognitive…

Discusses the recent phenomenon of older career changers and highlights some of the strengths and proactive strategies for such people. Issues include dealing realistically with negative perceptions and stressing advantages of the mature career changer. (Author)