Presents the fundamentals of Levinson's theory of adult development, which posits age-specific periods that are claimed to be universal. Examines the claim in relation to studies of women's and cross-cultural adult development. Recommends ways that adult development theory should affect the practice of adult education. (Author/JOW)

Cohabitation can represent a stage in the development of couples' relationships. When counselors are cognizant of the characteristic issues facing such clients, they can minimize issues of morality and legality and focus instead on resolving the essential mental health issues for which counseling has been sought. (EMK)

Conflict resolution or peace-making skills require that adults become aware of and challenge assumptions underlying their views and that they consider new ways of thinking. Critical thinking theories and techniques can help bring about the perspective transformation necessary to reducing conflict. (SK)

Discusses Erikson's theories on aging, Baltes and Baltes' concept of successful aging, and Warnick's work on counseling issues for successful aging. (SK)

Change involves thoughts, emotions, values, and actions but thought gets the most attention. Learning to change necessitates an integration of rational and nonrational ways of knowing. Nonrational ways and human care are important dimensions of the learning process. (SK)

Explains classic theories of adult development (stage/phase and life events and transitions) as well as newer theories (women's psychological development, Kegan's theory of consciousness). Presents implications for adult learning. (SK)

Defines racial and ethnic identity and stresses the importance of examining these concepts from multidimensional perspectives. Discusses models of racial and ethnic identity and explains how educators can create positive multicultural learning communities. (SK)

Adult life consists of alternating periods of stability and transition. The nature of life transitions in adulthood and their potential for learning and development are the focus of this chapter.

Background: The long-term prognosis associated with adolescent symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD) in the general population is virtually unknown. In this study, the relationship of early borderline symptoms to subsequent psychosocial functioning and attainment was investigated based on data from the Children in the Community cohort.…

In this paper, we consider how the life story develops through the creation of self-event connections in narrating experiences. We first outline the ways in which such connections have been implied by existing work on the life story, and then consider the varieties of such connections that we see in our own work. That work suggests that self-event…

This article explores a relatively new and little understood phenomenon, that of the Australian Grey Nomads. Every year increasing numbers of older Australians take to the road. This article explores the phenomenon both empirically and theoretically. A grounded approach is used by which the experience is explored from an ethnographic account…

In this article life history data from the U.S. National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH), and the Dutch survey on Older Adults' Living Arrangements and Social Networks (NESTOR-LSN) are used to shed light on the various pathways leading to and associated with childlessness, and the proportions of men and women who have followed a…

Many studies point out the importance of marital satisfaction for well-being. However, although being married is still the norm in middle and old age, research on the determinants of marital satisfaction has neglected long-term marriages. While research on short-term marriages mainly focuses on partner fit (e.g., in personality traits and…

This paper reviews the research literature from 1978 to 1991 that addresses long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse on adult women's sexual functioning. Frequently reported long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse are noted, including both sexual dissatisfaction and sexual dysfunction. In terms of sexual dysfunction, it is noted that adult…

This document consists of the fifth, sixth, and seventh sections of a book of readings on issues related to adult career development. The two chapters in the fifth section deal with training programs for adult career counselors. "The New Career Development Professional: A Training Model" (Florence Lewis and Janice Chiappone) examines changes that…