`This book is unique because of the focus on longitudinal studies and international perspectives.... There is no other book like it' - Rosemary Blieszner, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University `A very strong volume... This book will clearly be a "must-have" for scholars interested in midlife' - Michael Marsiske, University of Florida `Midlife is no longer an "uncharted territory" in human development. A group of outstanding researchers from different countries focuses on this peak period in the life span... Various views, including historical, cultural, and socio-structural perspectives, are adopted... Comprehensive reviews of studies on almost all relevant domains of human development... are given and provide a colorful picture of what midlife in these days may be all about' - Sigrun-Heide Filipp, University of Trier, Germany Middle adulthood, generally defined as the period from age 40 to age 65, is a critical period of the life course. Experiences in adolescence and young adulthood can impact how we function in midlife, as can sociocultural factors. Furthermore, how we develop in middle age - the central period of our lives - can influence how well we cope in our later years. Middle Adulthood explores these issues by bringing together, under the guidance of editors Sherry L Willis and Mike Martin, a distinguished group of international contributors associated with a range of prestigious longitudinal studies. Key features: - Presents a much-needed longitudinal, lifespan perspective on middle age;- Provides a multicultural perspective to determine universal normative patterns of midlife development;- Addresses a broad scope of topics, including historical perspectives on the emergence of middle age as a normative developmental period in the life course, change and stability in personality, and cognitive development and decline.Middle Adulthood is designed for scholars, researchers, and practitioners in the field of adult development and ageing in the departments of Developmental Psychology, Human Development and Family Studies, Gerontology, Family Diversity and Health.