The prevalence, types and perceived outcomes of crisis episodes in early adulthood and midlife: A structured retrospective-autobiographical study

Abstract

The objective of the study was to gain data on the prevalence, types and perceived outcomes of crisis episodes in three age decades of adult life: 20-29, 30-39 and 40-49. A further aim was to explore the relationship between crisis occurrence and empathy. A retrospective-autobiographical survey instrument and an empathy questionnaire were administered to 1023 UK-based adults. Prevalence data showed that crisis in the 20-29 decade was reported by 39% of men and 49% of women, while in the 30-39 decade 47% of men and 51% of women reported a crisis, and 46% of men and 59% of women reported a crisis occurring in the 40-49 decade. When prevalence rates were compared by participants' current age, a recency effect in crisis reporting was apparent. Work-related crises were more common in men, while relationship and family were more common in female crisis. The most common crisis contents across decades and genders were divorce/relationship break-up and debt/financial difficulties. Post-crisis growth was significantly lower in the 40-44 age range in men than in other age ranges for both genders. There was a positive relationship between self-report empathy and number of crisis episodes experienced. © The Author(s) 2013.