Surveyed 656 widows over age 50 about changes in working caused by widowhood. Almost one-third were employed when their husbands died; another one in six took jobs. Widows reported problems in locating employment, and findings suggested work is not a universally appropriate adaptive strategy. (JAC)

Data gathered from 290 Canadian women in the survey phase of a multimethod, multistage project allowed the development of a descriptive profile of factors associated with midlife women's choice-making process. Data support an active, autonomous, collaborative, and skillful choice-making profile. (Author)

Discusses misinformation that women have about the experience of menopause, the midlife acquisition of opposite sex characteristics, and the midlife shift from a focus on significant others to a focus on more personal needs. Suggests potential educational programs for women on midlife topics. (SK)

More women remain in the work force in midlife and later due to changing socioeconomic structures and attitudes, inadequate finances, and increased longevity. Many need ongoing career development to remain technologically current and employable. (SK)

Empty nest status, employment level, age, socioeconomic status, educational level, menopausal symptoms, and husband's attitude toward wife working were used to predict women's (N=232) well-being and adjustment to the empty nest. Results indicated that impact of predictor variables was almost nonexistent, but that coping creatively with situations…

Proposes that counselors who use an integrative approach to menopause can not only provide accurate biomedical information but also conceptualize menopause as a normative midlife transition. Provides a foundation in biomedical issues and considers how these in interaction with cultural and psychosocial factors influence the experience of…

For the healthy midlife adult, the second half of life provides a balance for the first half: men become more nurturant while women become more aggressive. The definition of the midlife woman is tied to the family cycle, when her children leave home. Marital satisfaction often increases after the children are gone and relinquishing her role as…

Describes how women executives in their 40s and 50s are finding the corporate workplace less than fulfilling and are making major life changes. (JOW)

Examines the results of a 1991 pilot study of the characteristics of the menopausal experience for women between the ages of 45 and 55. Specific items reported are physical health data and perceptions of factors affecting health status (diet, health characteristics, stress factors, and life changes). (GLR)

Middle aged women who have previously been occupied with family and community activities often experience increased role stress when they begin to invest more time and energy in their work roles. To compare coping styles women use to adjust to job changes, 71 women, aged 30-62, who had changed jobs within a 3-year interval were classified into…

Midlife divorce for women can be a time for creative growth or divorce can lead to loneliness, bitterness, and depression. Middle-aged women appear to experience an inordinate amount of stress from divorce because of loss of roles and lack of new role models. Based upon role theory and divorce as a normal developmental process, a feminist…

Compared 106 middle-aged student (outwardly oriented) and nonstudent (home oriented) women on attitudes toward age, perceived happiness and satisfaction, perceived physical health, number and severity of depressing symptoms, self-esteem, and autonomy. The student group reported better health, fewer and less severe depressive symptoms, and higher…

Because of inaccurate assumptions and biases in developmental theories, the unique concerns of middle-aged women have not been sufficiently addressed. They must reconcile their masculine and feminine selves by reassessing their interpersonal relationships, their physical beings, and the meaning of work and achievement. Describes a four-phase…

This paper problematizes the role of caring in women's persistence in literacy programs. The paper draws from the author/researcher's doctoral research, a study of 10 mid-life multi-ethnic Adult Basic Education and English as a Second Language women learners and their lifelong experiences of literacy, schooling, and learning, both inside and…

Examined psychological differences between 25 pre- and 25 post-empty nest women on gender identity and ego mastery style. Indicated that post-empty nest women engaged in a more active ego mastery style than pre-empty nest women and also claimed more masculine traits. (Author/ABB)