PERSONALITY-CHANGE IN WOMEN FROM THE EARLY 40S TO THE EARLY 50S

Between their early 40s and early 50s, 101 alumnae in the Mills longitudinal study decreased in dependence and self-criticism and increased in confidence and decisiveness. They also increased in comfort and stability attained through adherence to personal and social standards, and they scored higher on measures of coping through intellectuality, logical analysis, tolerance of ambiguity, and substitution. Normative personality change on the California Psychological Inventory was not associated with menopausal status, empty nest status, or involvement in care for parents. Feelings about life corresponded to descriptions of middle age by stage and period theorists, including the idea of turmoil around age 40. Findings support the view that personality changes across middle age in normative ways. Change seems to be attributable to long-term trends or period effects rather than to discrete life events.