Challenges
The fundamental psychosocial problem of early adulthood is to form intimate relationships while remaining socially isolated. Intimacy does not always imply romance; it can also mean caring for another person and sharing with others without losing oneself. In many cultures, the major concern of early adulthood is being autonomous and self-sufficient. As these young adults relocate out of their parents’ residences and into hostels, housing units, or other living circumstances with acquaintances, close companions, spouses, or strangers, their environments shift, often numerous times.
Perhaps the well-known aspect of middle age is the iconic midlife crisis: a period of reconsideration that leads to questioning deep-rooted ideas and values (Hochberg & Konner, 2020). A person’s midlife crisis may also lead to divorce from their partner. Middle-aged adults may face environmental and emotional issues because of changing occupations or relocating from metropolitan areas to the countryside. Cultural variables may also play a role, since people in a collectivist society typically suffer less from identical stressors due to stronger support networks. Middle-aged female workers in Asian countries face additional stress because of work-family conflict.
Interventions
Meditation has been shown to lessen the effects of depression and anxiety, improve attention and concentration, raise self-awareness, and benefit physical health. Midlife is a great time to make some modifications. It may be as easy as repainting a room in one’s home, dumping some toxic connections, or making that job shift one has been fantasizing about. The future is frequently the primary objective of early adulthood (Berk, 2022). Many areas of life are on hold as individuals pursue higher education, work, and plan for a better future.
There may be a conviction that life will be better as soon as one completes school, is promoted, or as children grow older. Many of the early adulthood developmental responsibilities involve becoming part of the adult population and acquiring independence. Young adults often complain about not being treated with courtesy, especially when they are placed in positions of leadership over their older colleagues.
References
Berk, L. E. (2022). Development through the lifespan (7th ed.). Sage Publications.
Hochberg, Z. E., & Konner, M. (2020). Emerging adulthood, a pre-adult life-history stage. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 10, 918.