In a remarkably prescient chapter, Bertram Cohler (1982) reimagined the problems and the potentialities of psychological development across the life course as a distinctively human challenge in life narration. This chapter situates Cohler's original vision within the intellectual and scientific matrix of the late 1970s, wherein psychologists…

The purpose of this study is to gain understanding of Chinese women executives going beyond the Chinese dream, to learn how they describe and make meaning of their midlife transition experience. A narrative inquiry and holistic content and form approach was used to explore two-stage life stories: narratives of self-actualization of women…

Suggests basic truths about adult behavior: (1) adult behavior is determined by transition, not age; (2) adults are motivated to learn and change by a need to control, belong, matter, master, renew, and take stock; and (3) adult readiness for change depends on situation, support, self, and strategies. (JOW)

Reviews adult life-cycle research, particularly the stages outlined in Levinson's "Seasons of a Man's Life," as a framework for anticipating transitional life plateaus and identifying obstacles to career development. (SK)

Describes the major features of mid-life transition and the associated mid-career crisis before outlining what can be done in organizations to meet the challenges of mid-life transition. (Author/IRT)

Used short-term longitudinal data to examine the linkage between family transitions and marital experience. Multiple regression equations were estimated to compare change over time in 10 transitional and stable groups. Change occurring in transitional groups was generally not significantly different from that observed for nontransitional groups.…

Although aging is a process that affects everyone, individuals can choose how they will behave as they become older. Some persons choose to focus on the negative, becoming more and more self-centered and driving away those around them, becoming a burden to themselves and to society. Others, often prompted by a midlife crisis or period of…

Presents a critique of research on midlife adult career development, outlining a multidimensional theory based on the work of Levinson, Super, Erickson, Hall, and others. Elaborates some limitations of life stage research and discusses implications for education-work policy and practice. (SK)

When interviews with 74 people over 60 were analyzed using a grounded theory approach, developmental change was found to occur in five age-independent periods: (1) continuity with middle age; (2) early transition; (3) revised lifestyle; (4) later transition; and (5) final period. (SK)

Considers question of shifts in artistic and literary style from lifespan developmental perspective, focusing on change during midlife. Using Samuel Beckett as example, demonstrates relationship between his abrupt shift to playwriting and his entrance into midlife. Notes that theories of lifespan personality development suggest parallels between…

Presents concepts of life course, life cycle, life structure, and the adult development of the life structure in early and middle adulthood. Discusses six major issues that must be dealt with by every structural approach to adult development. (PS)

Discusses philosophical, economical, and psychological issues related to midlife, focusing on the ontological and economic aspects of life that seem to be particular challenges to those at the midpoint of their lives. Addresses the role of counselors and psychologists in facilitating the individual's awareness and choice in midlife. (LLL)

Investigated adult development of police officers compared to the development of subjects in Daniel Levinson's study. Interviews with 23 male police officers indicated that their lives generally corresponded to Levinson's theory. The nature of subjects' psychosocial stages was similar to Levinson's model for some age periods, but not all.…

Discusses research on midlife transitions in women and its implications for theories of women's adult development. Presents findings on menopause, the postparental period, and the roles of women at midlife. Offers several theoretical approaches in light of research findings and makes recommendations for future research. Suggests implications for…

The Career Development Inventory--Adult Form was used to measure career development, and three instruments were used to measure the life cycle or personal phasic development in order to seek a relationship between the adult life cycle and the professional career development cycle for women and men. Population for the study was a random sample of…