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A midlife crisis is a transition of identity and self-confidence that can occur in middle-aged individuals, typically 45 to 64/65 years old. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] The phenomenon is described as a psychological crisis brought about by events that highlight a person's growing age, inevitable mortality, and possible lack of accomplishments in life.
There is empirical evidence of the causal impact of social relationships on health. The social support theory suggests that relationships might promote health especially by promoting adaptive behavior or regulating the stress response. [1] Troubled relationships as well as loneliness and social exclusion may have negative consequences on health ...
The perception that those in this stage of development of life undergo a so-called midlife crisis is a largely false one. [25] Personality characteristics remain stable throughout this period, [1] and relationships in middle age may continue to evolve into connections that are stable. [15]
Psychologists Arthur and Elaine Aron are known for research behind the “36 Questions That Lead to Love.” They share how their relationship has lasted over 50 years.
Levinson also emphasized that a common part of adult development is the midlife crisis. The process that underlies all these stages is individuation - a movement towards balance and wholeness over time. The key stages that he discerned in early adulthood and midlife were as follows: Early Adult Transition (Ages 16–24)
Lacking relationships and social support can increase the prevalence and severity of this crisis in one’s life. Social support acts as a buffer against the many challenges and stressors that come about in early adult life. With age, those in their late twenties and early thirties are more prone to experiencing this crisis.
On the personal level, the immediate effects are usually negative since experiencing an existential crisis is connected to stress, anxiety, and the formation of bad relationships. [ 2 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 18 ] This can lead all the way to depression if existential crises are not resolved.
Prolonged stress can disturb the immune, digestive, cardiovascular, sleep, and reproductive systems. [17] For example, it was found that: Chronic stress reduces resistance of infection and inflammation, and might even cause the immune system to attack itself. [27] Stress responses can cause atrophy of muscles and increases in blood pressure. [28]