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The midlife transition: crisis or chimera
1University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Psychological Reports
|December 1, 1994
Summary
The midlife crisis is a social construct, not a developmental stage. Research suggests its criteria align with Adjustment Disorder, with few individuals experiencing such crises.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Mental Health
Background:
- The concept of a 'midlife crisis' is widely discussed but lacks clear definition.
- Previous research has explored its definitional, developmental, psychoanalytic, and existential aspects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically examine the construct of the midlife crisis.
- To review existing literature on midlife crises and their theoretical underpinnings.
Main Methods:
- Literature review across multiple dimensions: definitional, developmental, psychoanalytic, and existential.
- Analysis of diagnostic criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition, Revised (DSM-III-R).
Main Results:
- The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition, Revised (DSM-III-R) criteria for Adjustment Disorder encompass the characteristics of a midlife crisis.
- A small proportion of individuals with high neuroticism are susceptible to developmental crises.
Conclusions:
- The midlife crisis is presented as a contemporary social construct.
- The utility of the midlife crisis model is questioned, suggesting it may be outdated.