Review in Changes in Eight Different Domains of Adult Functioning

Table 12.1 Review of Changes in Eight Different Domains ofAduIt Functioning
Emerging Early Middle Older Late
Adulthood Adulthood Adulthood Adulthood Adulthood
(18-24 Years) (25—39 Years) (40—64 Years) (65—74 Years) (75+ Years)
Personality and Establish identity Establish intimacy Establish genera- Task of ego Continuation of
meaning
in areas of occu-
pation, gender
role, political, and
religious beliefs.
Begin to see the
self as separate
from the group.
Accentuate own
gender character-
istics and repress
opposite-gender
characteristics.
in relationships.
Increased individ-
uality (self-
confidence, inde-
pendence, auton-
omy). Form own
ideas and stan»
dards. Gender dif-
ferences remain
high.
tivity within family
orworkplace.
Some sign of a
softening of the
individuality ofthe
earlier period;
fewer immature
defenses; possibly
autonomous level.
Increase in spiritu»
ality for some,
especially women.
Gender differ-
ences begin to
soften as children
leave home.
integrity; perhaps
more interiority; a
few may reach
integrated level,
Increase in spiritu-
ality for most.
previous pattern.
Increase in spiri-
tuality for most,
even if outward
signs decrease.