Codevelopment of Well-Being and Developmental Progress in Central Life Domains During Established Adulthood

Abstract

Adaptive development through adulthood entails developmental progress within multiple domains of life, such as health, work, and family. Adult status within these life domains is often solidified during established adulthood (30–45 years of age). Developmental progress within these central life domains is reflected in high perceived control and satisfaction, which should coincide with improved well-being. To test this proposition, we examined how developmental progress in central life domains codevelops with well-being during established adulthood. Multilevel growth model analyses were conducted using data from the Midlife in the United States study (MIDUS I, II, and III) for participants who completed at least two study assessments when they were between the ages of 30 and 45 (n = 614). The results indicated that established adults reported high levels of domain progress in their work, romantic partner and child relationships, and health, as well as moderate levels of prosocial and financial domain progress. While overall levels of well-being declined during established adulthood, higher levels of and positive changes in domain progress were linked with improved well-being during established adulthood. With few exceptions, demographic characteristics (age, sex, education, and income) did not moderate these linkages. Cumulatively, the results suggest that established adulthood is a developmental stage during which individuals progress in central developmental domains of adulthood, with the extent of this progress coinciding with improved well-being.