Summary

The adult life span stage encompasses adults aged 18 to 64 years. Adults experience many significant changes over that period but with great variation that the nurse must be aware of. While many developmental changes follow a timeline, the challenges are not universal. Nurses across all specialties need to be equipped to provide individualized and flexible care for adults of all ages.

Prominent growth and development patterns in the young adult years include psychological changes associated with increased independence, changing social networks, and continued brain development. Physical health in young adulthood is often at peak levels. However, lifestyle choices during this stage may predispose individuals to disease later in life. Lifestyle choices made in young adulthood may have long-term health consequences affecting the person’s risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mental health disorders.

Growth and development patterns in middle adulthood are based on a multitude of physical changes. These may be physical changes in the skin, musculoskeletal, and urinary systems, as well as physiological changes such as menopause and atherosclerosis. Changes in this stage depend on current and previous lifestyle factors.

By understanding physiological and physical changes that progress through an adult’s life, nurses can tailor care to promote wellness for each patient. Nurses must be alert for lifestyle choices and heredity factors that may affect adults’ physiological, psychological, and psychosocial development. Nurses can empower adults to improve their health at any stage by understanding their bodies, improving lifestyle choices, and managing and preventing chronic disease.

Understanding developmental theories about young and middle-aged adults gives nurses guideposts for creating individualized care plans. Young and middle-aged adults develop along a continuum extensively described in developmental theories. Using Erikson’s psychosocial development theory, Levinson’s theory of adult development, and Vaillant’s theory of adult development helps nurses understand the psychological and psychosocial struggles that adults may encounter. Nurses can identify individuals’ specific needs based on their progression through these developmental stages and provide education, interventions, and collaborative care that addresses them.

Neugarten’s theory can help nurses understand social pressure that may affect the health of individuals. This is crucial when creating a care plan that considers the physiological changes adults experience, as well as the interplay between psychological and psychosocial norms and pressures. Keeping the social clock theory in mind will help nurses limit age grading in their practice. Incorporating Kegan’s CDT gives nurses the chance to develop wellness plans that match each individual’s view of health. By creating developmentally appropriate interventions, nurses promote positive patient outcomes.

Young and middle-aged adults encompass a range of ages, and the health risks that may emerge within these stages of life are varied and many. Some adults have few health concerns or risks, while others have multiple risk factors for different diseases. Nurses can create effective care plans for health promotion and improvement if they fully understand each individual patient’s risks.

Health risks fall into three categories: physiological, psychological, and psychosocial. There is significant overlap in the categories, with many physiological health risks contributing to psychological or psychosocial risks, and vice versa.

Physiological health risks typically increase as adults transition from young to middle-aged adults. Depending on an individual’s overall health status, significant physiological health risks emerge in later young adulthood and include metabolic and cardiovascular diseases as well as various types of cancer. Psychological risks are prevalent across the adult stage but may have different triggers. Psychological concerns in young adulthood can also make individuals more prone to similar disorders in middle adulthood. Individuals with psychological risks such as depression or anxiety may be at higher risk for psychosocial risks such as violence, injuries, and drug and alcohol misuse.

Conversely, individuals who use drugs or alcohol are at much higher risk for mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Specific tools such as the PHQ-9 are available for monitoring patients’ mental health. Recognizing depression, anxiety, and addiction gives nurses the opportunity to address these concerns at an early stage and guide patients to appropriate services for treatment.

Psychosocial risk factors in this age group include unintentional injuries and injuries related to interpersonal violence. Interpersonal violence and hostility can be encountered in the workplace and within intimate relationships. Psychosocial risks such as injury, substance use, and addiction are closely tied with psychological risks such as depression and anxiety. Physiological, psychological, and psychosocial risk factors in adulthood are interrelated. By addressing all risk types, the nurse can create holistic and personalized care plans.

Nurses are partners in health promotion and disease prevention throughout the adult years. Nurses focus on specific patient physiological, psychological, and psychosocial factors to create a working wellness path. Health screenings are crucial for preventing illness, and nurse attitudes about preventive care and screenings can influence their patient’s choices in seeking and following it. Routine assessment of mental health status, physical health, and psychosocial status allows nurses to adapt care plans for the needs of each patient.

Collaboration with other medical professionals and specialists expands the nurse’s reach in providing comprehensive care. Referrals to medical specialists are necessary for many advanced and complicated health disorders. In making referrals, the nurse has an important role in educating the patient and ensuring a smooth transition to specialty care. Special support services tailored for specific treatment needs include diabetes educators and specialized support services for individuals with cancer. Nurses work closely with social workers to ensure continuity of care for patients with complex health needs. One of the primary roles of the nurse is identifying a specific need and leading the appropriate interdisciplinary team in providing care for each patient.