Compared Sibling Thematic Apperception Test scores of 30 men and 30 women, divided equally between stages of child-rearing and empty nest, who had same-sex, closely-spaced sibling, to examine sibling relationships during adulthood. Results showed no differences in affiliation or conflict theme frequencies between two life stages. Separation themes…

Many studies point out the importance of marital satisfaction for well-being. However, although being married is still the norm in middle and old age, research on the determinants of marital satisfaction has neglected long-term marriages. While research on short-term marriages mainly focuses on partner fit (e.g., in personality traits and…

Examined age differences in memory in 12 younger and 12 older adults who kept diaries of memory failures and use of memory aids. Results suggested that older adults experience more memory failures and are more upset, but deal with this problem by increased use of memory aids. (JAC)

Used visual search technique on three adult age groups to assess adult age differences in visual information extraction. For all age groups, search for structural targets embedded in prose was faster than for phonemic or semantic targets. With targets embedded in prose, oldest group required more time to detect targets. (AL)

Interviewed 301 grandparents concerning their relationship with one grandchild. Findings revealed no differences in relationship associated with grandchild gender or with maternal/paternal grandparent status; nor were there significant interaction effects. Grandmothers expressed greater satisfaction than did grandfathers; grandfathers stressed…

Examined influence of cardiovascular fitness on age-related declines in cognitive performance among 13 young adults, 22 middle-aged adults, and 13 older adults. Age-related performance declines were observed for free-recall task, but no such age-dependent association was observed for frequency and location memory. Other data suggest that…

Examined effect of widowhood on ego identity and psychological functioning among 83 widows. Found group scored significantly higher than national norms on structured measure of self-esteem. Twenty-five percent of respondents reported positive changes after widowhood, 39% reported mixed effects, and 30% reported only negative changes. Data fit…

Investigated the midcareer crisis and examined sex differences distinguishing midcareer changers (N=134). The results revealed that individuals who changed careers scored significantly higher on identity achievement and affiliation, and there was a significant positive correlation between identity achievement and self-concept. No sex differences…

Examined the internal consistency and construct validity of an expanded version of the Inventory of Psychosocial Development (E-IPD), which included the generativity and ego integrity scales creatd by Boylin et al. Total E-IPD scores from 79 adults were found to have high internal consistency, but many individual stage scales did not. (Author)

Examined volunteering bias in racial, gender, and age groups in an adult development study. Results showed the middle-aged group volunteered at a higher rate, but this effect was restricted to Whites. Women volunteered more readily than men, except the elderly. Whites volunteered more readily than Blacks. (JAC)

Explored the relationships between chronological age, year of measurement, cohort membership, education, and perception of horizontal peerships versus vertical different status associations in 1,428 adults in a 1957 study and a replication in 1976. Data from a thematic apperception procedure showed significant age changes in interpersonal…

Compared sex role characteristics and related personality traits in four age groups of women. In general, younger women were least like the traditional feminine sex role stereotype; they were more willing to ascribe masculine sex role characteristics to themselves. Older women adhered most strongly to conventional feminine traits. (JAC)

Assessed adults (N=88) on tasks operationally defining short-term memory structural limitations and process abilities. Although a number of minor chronological age-related differences were noted between monaural and dichotic word list performances, the findings indicated both structural capacity and organizational strategy deficiencies over…

Examined whether ego identity status transition pathways and change rates differ significantly across domains of identity development from adolescence through middle adulthood. Interviews with 100 middle-aged adults regarding development of values in vocation, religion, politics, gender roles, and relationships identified 8 subgroups which varied…

Examined the relationship between early adult life goals and feelings of success and satisfaction in aging for 144 gifted adults. Results showed significant sex differences with men reporting greater goal attainment. Women with occupational goals at age 30 reported lower feelings of goal attainment at age 70. (JAC)