Established Adulthood: Navigating the Complex Years of the 30s and 40s

While psychological research and theory has outlined many periods of the adult lifespan, one period of adult development remains largely ignored, the period from ages 30 to 45. Clare M. Mehta focuses on this period, outlining the concept of established adulthood.

For many, the years of established adulthood are the most intense, demanding, and rewarding of adult life. During established adulthood, people must negotiate the intersecting demands of progressing in a chosen career, maintaining intimate relationships, and caring for children and/or aging parents. The successes and difficulties in meeting these simultaneous and sometimes conflicting demands have the potential to profoundly influence the direction of a person’s adult life. As such, it is critical to better understand this period of development.

This book is the first to provide an in-depth conceptualization and exploration of established adulthood. With the voices of over 170 established adults at the heart of the book, Established Adulthood highlights the challenges and rewards of this period of the lifespan. It covers a wide range of topics including career development, physical health, romantic relationships, friendships, having or not having children, and parental relationships. This book is essential reading for those wanting to better understand adulthood in the modern world.

Clare M. Mehta is Professor of Psychology at Emmanuel College, Boston, and Staff Scientist in the Division for Adolescent Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital. Mehta holds a Masters of Research in Education from the University of Bath and a Masters of Science and PhD in Lifespan Developmental Psychology from West Virginia University. She is past president of the American Psychological Association’s Division 1, the Society for General Psychology, and serves on the board of the European Society for Adult Development.