Over the past half-century, increased research attention has been paid to adulthood (e.g. emerging adulthood, older adulthood). However, one period of adult development is under-defined and under-explored – the age period from 30-45.
For many people in developed countries, the rise of emerging adulthood has resulted in the postponement of enduring commitments in work and relationships until the thirties and forties. Consequently, established adulthood is an eventful and important period of the lifespan during which intense focus and energy is directed toward the formation and maintenance of a long-term committed partnership, progressing in a chosen career, and for those who become parents, raising young children. Because of the convergence of these developmental tasks during established adulthood, established adults may experience heightened stress as they struggle to manage multiple demands in work and relationships. However, this period also brings with it a number of rewards including, for many, a stronger sense of self and increased social and professional confidence. While the later years of this period (40-45) are often combined with midlife, we believe that ages 30-45 is a unique developmental period and should be studied as such.
This presentation will present a theoretical framework and preliminary data for established adulthood, making an argument for why it deserves increased empirical and theoretical attention.
For many people in developed countries, the rise of emerging adulthood has resulted in the postponement of enduring commitments in work and relationships until the thirties and forties. Consequently, established adulthood is an eventful and important period of the lifespan during which intense focus and energy is directed toward the formation and maintenance of a long-term committed partnership, progressing in a chosen career, and for those who become parents, raising young children. Because of the convergence of these developmental tasks during established adulthood, established adults may experience heightened stress as they struggle to manage multiple demands in work and relationships. However, this period also brings with it a number of rewards including, for many, a stronger sense of self and increased social and professional confidence. While the later years of this period (40-45) are often combined with midlife, we believe that ages 30-45 is a unique developmental period and should be studied as such.
This presentation will present a theoretical framework and preliminary data for established adulthood, making an argument for why it deserves increased empirical and theoretical attention.
Originally from the U.K., Dr. Clare M. Mehta is currently an Associate Professor in Psychology at Emmanuel College in Boston and a Staff Scientist in the Division for Adolescent Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital. Dr. Mehta holds a Masters of Research in Education from the University of Bath (U.K.), and a Masters of Science and PhD in Lifespan Developmental Psychology from West Virginia University (U.S.A). For the last twenty years, Dr. Mehta’s main research area was gender, gender identity, and social relationships in adulthood. Her current research focus is Established Adulthood, the period of development from 30-45. Dr. Mehta’s work has been published in American Psychologist, Sex Roles, Developmental Review, Review of General Psychology, and the Journal of Sex Research. She is past president of the American Psychological Association’s Division 1, the Society for General Psychology and serves on the board of the European Society for Adult Development. She is currently on the editorial board of the Journal of Adult Development.