Human Development Exam #5

What is middle age?

A social construct

What do people gain during middle age?

Money

What do people lose during middle age?

height, elasticity, hair color

How often is the MIDUS study repeated?

every 3 years

MIDUS =

Midlife in the US

Experience of middle age varies with:

health, gender, ethnicity, SES, culture, personality, marital/parental status, and employment

During middle age, which gender has a better time?

males (aging isn't as a big deal for them; grey hair = distinguished)

During middle age, which ethnicity has a better experience?

white people (have more resources)

During middle age, the higher your SES,

better your health

How are other countries different in regards to middle age?

Other countries are less age conscious

Middle age is also known as

the time of gains and losses

During middle age, marital/parental status...

doesn't matter as much (no significant difference)

During middle age, people who are employed have an easier experience because...

they have money and health insurance

During middle age, most people are in good...

physical, cognitive, and emotional condition (but there is wide variation)

What is a sandwich generation?

people who are responsible for their children and their parents

People in a sandwich generation have

heavy responsibilities and multiple roles (job, family, etc.)

During middle age, people take time to

make decisions about their remaining years

What causes physiological changes during middle age?

aging and heredity (behavior & lifestyle affect timing & extent)

What affects the timing and extent of physiological changes during middle age?

behavior and lifestyle (smoking, drinking, exercise)

What does a hearing aid symbolize for most people?

aging

During middle age, people become more

near sighted

During middle age, people are LESS sensitive to

touch, taste, smell

During middle age, there is a loss of

endurance

When does basal metabolism slow down?

mid 60s

Why do people during middle age (particularly women) have decreased bone density?

menopause (lose estrogen --> lose osteoblasts)

What are some key physical appearance changes during middle age?

sagging skin, thinning hair, gray hair, loss of height, weight gain (less active and slower metabolism)

What is the definition of menopause?

Going 1 year without a period

What is the average age of menopause?

51

U.S. view of menopause:

disorder

Asia's view of menopause:

renewal

Experience with menopause depends on:

S/S, personal characteristics, past experiences, and culture

What do many middle-aged men experience? (40 and up)

decline in fertility and frequency of orgasm

Frequency of erectile dysfunction =

age 40: 40%

age 60: 60%

age 80: 80%

What happens in sexual activity during middle age?

decreases slightly, but quality may improve

What are some signs and symptoms of menopause?

hot flashes/night sweats, vaginal dryness, sleep disturbances, mood disturbances

In women, sexual dysfunction ___________ with age

decreases

In men, sexual dysfunction ___________ with age

increases

Why does sexual dysfunction increase in men?

vasoconstriction (ED, smoker, anti-anxiety meds = vasoconstrictors)

How do women feel as they age?

less desirable

Why is anxiety heightened in both men and women about aging?

because U.S. is a society that places a premium on youth

Health status of most people in middle-age

Healthy with no functional limitations

What affects present and future health in people who are in middle age?

diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol use

Health =

Wealth

Example of preventative care

mammogram, colonoscopies, etc.

preventative care depends on

SES

Why are people 60 and older more likely to have hypertension?

because their arteries lose elasticity

Leading causes of death in ages 40-55 and 55-65

cancer and heart disease

Has the prevalence of suicide gone up in ages 40-55?

yes (gone up 30% in last 5 yrs)

Why are health outcomes worse in the U.S. than other countries?

U.S. does not have universal healthcare

low income =

poorer health

Why do Black, Indigenous, and People of Color have elevated health risks?

they have increased cortisol (from stress) --> increased vasoconstriction --> increased hypertension

Who lives longer, men or women?

women

What do women have that helps them live longer?

genetic protection for second X chromosome

Why do women usually live longer than men?

they smoke less, eat less processed food, internalize less stress, and seek more medical attention

When do women develop cardiovascular disease?

5-10 yrs after men

What are postmenopausal women more susceptible to?

heart disease, bone loss/osteoporosis, breast cancer

Why are postmenopausal women more susceptible to heart disease, bone loss/osteoporosis, breast cancer?

no more estrogen

Who is the most susceptible to osteoporosis?

old white women

Risk factors of bone loss/osteoporosis:

caucasian, age, heredity, gender, diet low in Ca & vitamin D, anorexia, smoking & excessive alcohol use, sedentary lifestyle

Is the cause of breast cancer usually found?

no (only 20% of cases have a known cause)

What % of women < 60 have had a hysterectomy?

33% (1/3)

Why do women get hysterectomies?

tumors, fibroids, abnormal bleeding, endometriosis

What is HRT (hormone replacement therapy)?

giving estrogen to people in menopause

Why is HRT bad?

risks outweigh the benefits --> CVA, blood clots, HD, breast cancer, MI

What affects physical health?

personality (glass half full/empty), social relationships, and emotional health

Positive people engage in more

healthy behaviors

What are the most common stressors of middle age?

work, money, housing, family relationships

death by 1000 cuts =

accumulation of everyday stressors can be as or more harmful than major life changes

Why are women more likely to report stress?

They makes .80 on the $1 and are more involved in child raising

short term stress is

good for the immune system

long term stress in

bad for the immune system

What helps people with resilience?

supportive relationships and ability to adapt to challenges

Example of adapting to challenges

empty nesting

How does occupational stress affect health?

work overload, interpersonal conflict, sexual harassment, high pressure/low control situations, inability to unwind, burnout

According to Seattle Longitudinal Study, most mental abilities

peak during middle age

According to Seattle Longitudinal Study, which intelligence declines sooner, crystallized or fluid?

fluid intelligence

According to Seattle Longitudinal Study, crystalized intelligence is using

knowledge and experience

According to Seattle Longitudinal Study, fluid intelligence is

applied to novel problems/independent of education and cultural influences

According to Seattle Longitudinal Study, crystallized intelligence is

the ability to use learned information/dependent on education and culture

According to Seattle Longitudinal Study, what seems to improve cognitive function?

physical activity

Why does physical activity improve cognitive function?

releases endorphines --> makes you more positive

During midlife, cognition take distinctive forms:

increasing expertise and specialized knowledge

When is postformal thought especially useful?

integrative thinking situations

Situations that involve integrative thinking involve

logic, emotion, and filtering information through life experience

When does the ability to solve practical problems peak?

midlife

What does creative performance depend on?

personal attributes, environmental forces (pressure), and cognitive abilities

Creativity is strongly related to intelligence

false

During middle age there is a decline in

divergent thinking and creative output

During middle age there is a loss in productivity, but

an increase in quality

Convergent thinker:

logic/objective (doctor)

Divergent thinker:

out of the box

avg. age of retirement in U.S.

62

avg. time (in years) of retirement in the U.S.

18

Why will we not get social security?

because people are retired for so long

Phased employment

working in same job, but less

Bridge employment

new line of work

What is the age for full SS retirement benefits?

67

What can improve cognitive flexibility?

complex work

What can make people more mentally sharp?

more stimulating opportunities (reading, plays, crosswords)