Introduction

During adulthood, individuals pass through several stages of development, including early adulthood, middle adulthood, and older adulthood. Individuals in early adulthood are often referred to as young adults. During middle adulthood, also known as midlife, individuals are referred to as middle-aged adults. Individuals in early and middle adulthood make up most of the U.S. population (Statista, 2022). While age ranges for each category vary depending on beliefs and family constructs within cultural groups, combined early and middle adulthood typically ranges from approximately age 18 to 64 years (Committee on Improving the Health, Safety, and Well-Being of Young Adults, 2015). Young adulthood is typically considered as persons 18 to 35 years of age. For example, social norms and legal constructs such as the ability to seek health care independently often classify individuals as adults at age 18 years. Chronological age defines adulthood in some families and cultures. In others, the transition to adulthood is marked by marriage or a religious or spiritual ritual.

During these developmental stages, individuals progress through many physical, emotional, family, personal, and social changes. While significant change is expected during this forty-plus-year time frame, specific changes are not universally experienced. Each individual will progress in unique ways (Lachman et al., 2015). By identifying patterns in physical change and behavior during early and middle adulthood, nurses can tailor education, treatment options, and healthcare prevention strategies to maximize their benefit to the individual. The experience of early and middle adulthood is guided by developmental changes, lifestyle choices, social circumstances, and disease.

A range of developmental theories encompass the changes experienced during early and middle adulthood. These theories relate to psychological transitions, identity development, social constructs, and physical changes. Understanding these theories prepares nurses to support adults during expected and unexpected changes in health.

Nurses encounter young and middle-aged adults in various settings, including college health centers, family planning clinics, obstetrics-gynecology clinics, fertility clinics, primary care offices, chronic disease specialty clinics, work-based clinics, mental health facilities, and hospitals. Providing individualized care requires nurses to understand the variety and complexity of the health issues that emerge during the adult life stage. However, health risks in early and middle-aged adults are not universal—rather, they are affected by an individual’s lifestyle, age, and genetics. Since these risks affect long-term health, nurses should look for opportunities to discuss them, offer education, and promote change.

A nurse’s role in preventing illness is crucial during the early and middle adult years, as this is when risk reduction will have the greatest effect on producing positive long-term health outcomes. Nurses are essential in promoting wellness for all patients, regardless of an individual’s underlying or hereditary risk for chronic disease. Nurses can empower individuals to develop healthy habits to carry them through life.