Concerns about making meaningful contributions to family and society increase greatly during middle adulthood, consistent with Erikson’s psychological conflict of generativity versus stagnation. According to Levinson, middle-aged adults reassess their relation to themselves and the world and make adjustments in areas that are not satisfactory. Vaillant added that middle-aged adults become guardians of the traditions and values of their culture. Few people experience midlife as a crisis, although most must adapt to important events that lead to new understandings and goals.

Self-concept changes during middle age, reflecting fewer and more concrete possible selves, a growing awareness of a finite lifespan, longer life experience, and generative concerns. Adults become more introspective and self-acceptance, autonomy, environmental mastery, and coping strategies improve. Both men and women become more androgynous, as well. Despite such changes in the organization of personality, little change takes place in basic, underlying personality traits during midlife and beyond.

Launching children brings important changes to which most parents adjust well. Many adults focus on improving their marriages during these years. When divorce occurs, it is more difficult for middle-aged adults than for younger adults. As long as family relationships are positive, becoming grandparents facilitates development.

Many middle-aged adults become squeezed between the needs of aging parents and financially dependent children. While middle-aged adults often become more appreciative of the contribution of their own parents, caring for ill parents can be very stressful. Sibling ties, which often continue to strengthen, can help lessen the burden as can other social supports. Friendships become fewer and more selective in midlife. Contrary to popular belief, research reveals strong inter-generational ties and feelings of support in U.S.American society.

Middle-aged adults seek to increase the personal meaning and self-direction of their work. Overall job satisfaction improves during midlife, but burnout has become a greater problem in recent years, especially in careers involving work with people. Vocational development is less available to older workers and many women and ethnic minorities leave the corporate world to escape the glass ceiling, which limits their advancement. Still, radical career changes are rare in middle adulthood. Unemployment is especially difficult for middle-aged individuals, and retirement is an important change that is often stressful, making effective planning important for positive adjustment.