1. Emerging adulthood: If you are an emerging adult, explain what it is like to be in this period of development from your perspective, and how this aligns with what research suggests is common for this age group. For instance, in what ways might you feel
Michelle_Michy
20200611010740middle_adulthood_relationships_slides.pptxMiddle Adulthood: Social-Emotional Development
HDFS 525
ONLINE
Relationships
1
Key Objectives
Explain how marital satisfaction changes over time
Identify risk factors for divorce
Define empty nest syndrome, boomerang kids, and the sandwich generation
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Course of Marital Satisfaction
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Divorce
Recent INCREASE in divorce among adults 50 and over
Important sources of variability in likelihood of divorce
Age, income, education, family history
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Parenting in Middle Age
Empty nest syndrome
Most do just fine
Time to focus on marriage
Cluttered nests
Boomerang kids returning home
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Boomerang Kids
Adult children living with parents
Increasing due to student loan debt and job market
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The “Sandwich Generation”
Middle-aged adults caring for their children and aging parents
Predominately women (50-66%)
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The Sandwich Generation
Many also employed outside the home
Can lead to “caregiver burden” and/or “caregiver gain”
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Attachment
Careseeker <--> caregiver intertwined
Quality of attachment a strong predictor of care for aging parents
Secure children more prepared to take on caregiving (Soerensen et al., 2002)
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