As the first handbook on the topic of midlife development, this exhaustive reference provides a definitive, up-to-date portrayal of the middle years of the human lifespan. Edited by leading scholar Margie Lachman, the volume features contributions from a host of well-established, highly regarded experts to fill a significant gap in the compilation of research on this topic.

The book is divided into four comprehensive sections that address the theoretical, biomedical, psychological, and social aspects of midlife. Chapters cover unifying themes such as gender differences, ethnic and cultural diversity, historical changes, and socioeconomic differences from a life-span developmental perspective. Readers will explore a wide range of topics, including physical changes, stress and health, intellectual functioning, memory, personality, emotional development, family and intergenerational relationships, and the role of work. The Handbook of Midlife Development is an indispensable resource for professionals, practitioners, researchers, and students who study or work with adults.