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Is the 'midlife crisis' a real thing?
A midlife crisis
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The theory of midlife crises
- The term "midlife crises" was coined in 1965, and reflects the dawning recognition of one's mortality where death becomes a personal matter.
- According to Elliot Jaques, the key achievement of middle age is to move beyond youthful idealism to a constructive acceptance.
- Other explanations are that it is when children may be leaving home, when chronic illnesses often make their first appearance, or when workplace demands may be peaking.
When a midlife crisis should appear
Concepts of middle age change as we get older. People aged over 60 recalled their midlife crisis at 53, while those in their 40s dated theirs to 38.
It appears that there are no distinct midlife crises, but rather crises that occur from time to time.
Midlife as a time of growth
Midlife does not have to be a time of psychological gloom.
- People become less neurotic and self-conscious from age 41 to 50.
- Women from ages 43 to 52 tend to become less dependent and self-critical, more confident, responsible and decisive.
- The more crises people reported the more empathetic they were towards others.
SIMILAR ARTICLES & IDEAS:
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Mid-career crises
A mid-career crisis can happen to anyone. It causes pain to the individual suffering from it and it also leads to productivity losses for employers.
A group of economists researchers found th...
Mid-career crises do not discriminate
The age-related curve in job satisfaction has been found in more than 50 countries. It affects senior-level executives as well as blue-collar workers, stay-at-home parents, childless couples and single people.
Generally, life satisfaction is high when people are young, it starts to decline in the early 30s and is the lowest between mid-40s and mid-50s. Then it increases again to levels as high as during young adulthood.
Life aspirations
- Young people are overly optimistic and expect significant increases in life satisfaction.
- As we age, we become disillusioned as our aspirations evaporate.
- When we bottom out, we come to terms with our circumstances and accept life.
- People over 50 tend to underestimate their future satisfaction, and increases come as an unexpected surprise, which raises satisfaction levels.
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Midlife Crisis
We are biologically programmed to have some sort of mental crisis in the age group of 45 to 55 (the midlife).
Just as bodily changes occur during puberty and the teen years, the mind un...
The Young And The Restless
The teen years are a time when refinements in synapses and the brain wiring are happening, along with various biological changes due to the highly conspicuous social and psychological transformation. The brain is on overdrive due to a high level of diverse engagements like:
- Romantic relationships.
- Intimate bondings.
- Independence from the family.
- Exploring a career path.
Stressful Life Changes
Any illness, physical or mental can be compounded by psychological stress and anxiety. Adolescence to adulthood comprises a tsunami of psychological changes.
These psychological and biological changes are in fact programmed developments of the body that may be parallel or corresponding to the changes that occur during midlife.
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The antidote to loneliness
When people were forced into social isolation, a light was also shining on another crisis - loneliness.
The antidote to loneliness is accessible to all of us: friendship. The shared global ...
Friendship
Science shows friendship is critical for our happiness, health, and longevity.
* In the 1970s and 1980s, some epidemiologists and sociologists showed that socially isolated individuals over age 66 had a 30 percent increased risk of early mortality.
* Studies reveal that social connection improves cardiovascular functioning, reduces susceptibility to inflammation and viral disease, sharpens cognition, reduces depression, lowers stress, and even slows biological aging.
Definition of friendship
Friendship requires at least three things: It should be long-lasting, positive, and cooperative. Friendship nearly always includes a willingness to help, especially in times of crisis.
In short, friendship is creating bonded groups that act as a buffer against life's stresses.
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