National survey data were utilized to measure differences in self-perception, motivation, and social support through seven stages of the family life cycle. In most cases, stages of family life were significantly associated with psychological and social change in adulthood, regardless of sex. (Author)

The first part of this two-part paper provides a general review of adult development and is premised on an understanding of andragogy. Andragogy is the art and science of helping adults learn. It is based on the following four assumptions about adults: (1) as people mature they become less dependent and more self-directed; (2) experiences serve as…

A conceptual framework for adult development is proposed, based on a synthesis of the literature on role theory and various age-related adult developmental theories. It is proposed that adult development may not be as linear, uniform, and age-related as has been suggested. An individual adult could be in varying developmental stages across the…

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 However, many outdated assumptions in psychological theory remain comfortably ensconced; to challenge these ideas, some misrepresentations of women's experience are examined.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…

Theories and models of adult development over the life span provide one of the foundational pieces for gaining a clearer understandings of learning in adulthood. Only recently have adult educators spoken more forcefully about the lack of integrated research on adult women. The purpose of this monograph is to describe those missing female voices as…

A literature review uncovered three themes on women's psychosocial development: diverse and nonlinear patterns, importance of intimacy and identity, and centrality of relationships and connectedness to others. The review assessed the applicability of existing developmental models to women and identified alternative designs and methods needed to…

The concept of "adult status" for young people with disabilities is explored in terms of its social, psychological, legal, and policy implications. The report argues that traditionally institutionalized rehabilitation techniques, whether in education, vocational training, or sheltered employment, have tended not to encourage autonomy and…

The developmental model of self-concept proposed by M. Lynch and M. Levy (1982) is extended through the entire adult life cycle. Self-concept is seen as a set of cognitive rules that have affective or cognitive consequences and that operate like the ego functions proposed by Freud. (SLD)

This study examines the experience of emerging adult immigrants, a group simultaneously attempting to navigate the developmental period of exploration and experimentation of emerging adulthood, together with the need for re-organization of the self, following immigration. In this study, in-depth interviews were conducted, with 41 emerging adult…

The child care workforce is changing. More than ever before, directors must contend with faculty whose educational levels, job expectations, and career aspirations differ widely. Teachers vary in their experience, professional demeanor, stages in career development, and most recently, generational differences that impact the significance and…

Reviews developmental stages in older adults, particularly disillusionment and individuation, and their effects on career and family. Knowledge of these changes is useful in developing motivational tools for adults who work in schools. (BJV)

Contains eight articles related to counseling women and change, including: (1) the impact of traditional values on counseling women, (2) problems of midlife women, (3) women's victimization, and (4) counseling women to be whole persons. Also focuses on women as housewives, working women, and religious women. (RC)

Midlife transition is a potentially problematic time for all women, but especially for those who are unmarried, relatively less well-educated, and who do not reside in urban areas. Some studies suggest that unmarried women have more difficulty in identity formation and acceptance of their role by society. Married women whose children are nearly…

This paper describes the design, implementation, and evaluation of a Deliberate Psychological Education Curriculum to promote the ego, moral, and conceptual development of inservice teachers enrolled in a five-week workshop, followed by a supervised fall quarter practicum. Significant differences were found between experimental and control groups…

Following a literature search of the theories of personal maturation and career development, a study was conducted to identify personality and demographic variables related to career development and career concerns. Specifically investigated was the relationship between two sets of variables with self-concept, locus of control, and age in one set…