Young adulthood is a pretty stressful time of exploration and decision making. What are common life stressors in young adulthood? What can young adults do to manage or cope with their stress? What are some unhealthy coping mechanisms that we see young adults engaging in, especially in college? What are some stressors that you experienced in young adulthood?
Module 6 Physical, Cognitive, and Socio-Emotional Development in
Early Adulthood
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT IN EARLY ADULTHOOD
Module 6 Part 1
Early Adulthood
• Emerging Adulthood is around ages 18-25 • Transition period from adolescence to
adulthood
Physical Development
• Physical performance and development o Peak physical performance typically occurs
between 19 and 26 o Muscle tone and strength usually begin to show
signs of decline around age 30
Physical Decline in Early Adulthood Teeth
• Periodontal disease o The cardiovascular system
• Hypertension o Lung capacity o Changes in skin
• The senses o Gradual loss of accommodation o Visual acuity o Hearing Loss
Nutrition and Exercise o Increase in bad health habits o Eating and weight
• Obesity – Linked to increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease
• Dieting – Become an obsession with many Americans o Although obesity is on the rise
o Regular exercise • Helps prevent chronic disorders • Aerobic exercise: Sustained exercise that stimulates
heart and lung activity • Exercise benefits both physical and mental health
o Improves self-concept and reduces anxiety and depression
Health Issues • Emerging adults have twice the mortality rate of
adolescents • Few chronic health problems • Depression • Accidents still the leading cause of death for this age group • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Diseases contracted
primarily through sex o Effective strategies for protecting against HIV o Know your risk status and that of your partner o Obtain medical examinations o Have protected, not unprotected, sex o Do not have sex with multiple partners
• Alcohol o Binge drinking – Increases in college
Stress • Stress refers to the physiological and
psychological reactions of an individual to demands
• Physical disorders associated with stress: o Heart disease o Hypertension o Migraine headaches o Lowered immune system responsiveness o Ulcers o Gastroenteritis o Asthma
Stress and Personality o Type A personality- more stressed o Type B personality o Type C personality
Stress Prevention o Exercise o Healthy diet o Avoiding stimulants and drugs o Getting enough sleep o Time management skills o Relaxation techniques o Healthy social support system o Counseling, if needed
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT IN EARLY ADULTHOOD
Module 6: Part 2
Cognitive Development • Cognitive stages
o Piaget’s view: • Adolescents and adults think qualitatively in the same
way • Individuals consolidate their formal operational thinking
during adulthood o Postformal thought:
• Reflective, relativistic, and contextual • Provisional • Realistic • Recognized as being influenced by emotion
Cognitive Development cont’d
• Creativity o Early adulthood is a time of great creativity for
some people
Self-Regulation
• Planning phase • Monitoring phase • Control phase • Reflection phase
Intelligence
• Crystallized intelligence • Cognitive flexibility • Visualization • Fluid intelligence
SOCIO-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN EARLY ADULTHOOD
Module 6: Part 3
Personality
• Traits • The big five factors personality theory
o Openness o Conscientiousness o Extraversion o Agreeableness o Neuroticism
Attachment
• Attachment o Secure attachment style: Have a positive view
of relationships and find it easy to get close to others
o Avoidant attachment style: Are hesitant about getting involved in romantic relationships
o Anxious attachment style: Demand closeness, are less trusting, more emotional, jealous, and possessive
Cohabitation and Marriage
• Cohabitation occurs in about 70% of U.S. couples.
• Cohabiting couples have poorer marriage outcomes, higher cheating
• Marriage is correlated with happiness, better health, and increased longevity
Intimacy and Love o Sternberg’s triangle of love o Romantic love: Passionate love, or eros
• Strong components of sexuality and infatuation
o Affectionate love: Companionate love • Desires to have the other person near
o Based on a deep and caring affection • Consummate love: Strongest form of love
Friendship
• Friendships become more intimate and less group-driven.
• Friendships provide a source of support, security, and love
Work and Careers
• The impact of work o Most spend 1/3 of their lives at work o Important consideration is how stressful the work
is • From mid-twenties on, individuals often seek
to establish their emerging career in a particular field
• Unemployment, even temporary, causes stress
Erikson’s Stage
• Intimacy vs. Isolation • Establishing a sense of intimacy
o Parental behavior during development o Learning of skills necessary for intimacy
• Social isolation o Causes and outcomes
Early Adulthood Challenges
• Marriage and Divorce • Career vs. Jobs • Autonomy from Parents – full independence • Children and Infertility
- Module 6
- Physical Development in Early Adulthood
- Early Adulthood
- Physical Development
- Physical Decline in Early Adulthood
- Nutrition and Exercise
- Health Issues
- Stress
- Stress and Personality
- Stress Prevention
- Cognitive development in early Adulthood
- Cognitive Development
- Cognitive Development cont’d
- Self-Regulation
- Intelligence
- Socio-emotional development in early Adulthood
- Personality
- Attachment
- Cohabitation and Marriage
- Intimacy and Love
- Friendship
- Work and Careers
- Erikson’s Stage
- Early Adulthood Challenges
