Chapter 5

Question 1

Erikson’s Model

Answer 1

• Young adulthood between 20 and 40 years old
• Middle Adulthood between 40 and 65 years old
• Older Adulthood over 65

Question 2

Life Course Theory

Answer 2

• Events, such as economic recessions or natural disasters, influence individual’s development as they influence both the life tasks and opportunities or challenges that
  
  • Impact individuals at every life stage
• Adults have been influenced by wars, terrorist attacks and Natural Disasters

Question 3

Symbolic and Tangible Losses in Adulthood

Answer 3

• Deaths of parents, spouses, children
• Divorce
• Diagnosis of a child with a disability
• Diagnosis of a young adult with a mental health disorder
• Diagnosis of a serious or life-threatening medical condition in self, partner, child

Question 4

Factors in Addition to Age and Developmental Stage

Answer 4

• Single parenting is common and is associated with multiple demands/stress
• Multiple symbolic losses are associated with serious illness and death
• Stigmatized or disenfranchised losses (HIV, suicide)
• Cultural/spiritual values, beliefs practices

Question 5

Developmental and External Factors in Young Adulthood

Answer 5

• Major decisions about job and career choices, partnering, parenthood
• Moral decisions
• Traumatic loss, for example related to military combat
• Expected to be self-sufficient (economically if not emotionally)
• Developing career/life plans
• Establishing partnerships or a family of one’s own
• Expanding range of roles and coping strategies

Question 6

Understanding of Death - Young adulthood

Answer 6

• Fully comprehend the impact of death
  
  • Both immediate & final impact for the deceased & long-term impact for survivors
• They are also capable of comprehending
  
  • The complex range of responses of different people to different types of losses

Question 7

Reactions to Loss - Young Adulthood

Answer 7

• Feelings of responsibility for other family members
• Ambivalence about putting their own needs first
• May perceive sadness as a weakness
• Emergence of anxiety, depression and other mental health disorders

Question 8

Strategies to Assist Young Adults

Answer 8

• Acknowledging loss and grief reactions
• Encouraging individuals to take time to attend to their feelings & those of others
• Provide opportunities for expression/discussion of conflicting feelings
• Promoting social connections through peer-support and group activities

Question 9

Middle Adulthood

Answer 9

• Sandwich generation
• Raising and launching children and
• Caring for older family members
• Developing leadership roles in community, organizations
• Biological changes occurring with midlife

Question 10

Developmental Factors in Middle Adulthood

Answer 10

• Re-examination, renewal, and/or reintegration of identity
• Multiple roles and responsibilities
• Long-established patterns may be difficult to change (e.g., substance dependence)
• Vulnerability to physical disorders (cancer, heart disease, etc.) as age increases

Question 11

Reactions to Loss - Middle Adulthood

Answer 11

• Pile-up of losses may occur
• Maladaptive patterns have sometimes been long established (substance abuse)
• Satisfaction may be derived from helping others (generative stage of development)
• Religion or spiritual practices may be comforting (making meaning)

Question 12

Strategies to Assist Middle Adults

Answer 12

• Empathic listening and support
• Release time from work or school to meet family obligations and process grief
• Bereavement support groups
• Tangible expressions of support or caring
  
  • Such as preparing meals and assisting with care of children or elder family members
• Pastoral care or connection with a religious or spiritual community
• Identification of risk factors and offering intervention for complicated grief
• Opportunities for respite and renewal
• Opportunities to assist others, when interest in this is expressed