Biological Psychological and Social dimensions of Anna

Introduction
This paper reviews a case vignette, “Anna”, determines the developmental stage of the individual and assesses how well the individual is achieving the developmental tasks and issues present at the Biological, Psychological, and Social dimensions.
Anna’s Biological/physical functioning
(1) Completion of physical development tasks:
Anna is a 47-year-old Latina divorcee with two children, 23 and 26 years of age, residing in another state. Biological changes typical to the midlife phase, in which Anna currently is, include increased joint aches, weight gain and vision impairment (Lachman, 2004). By midlife, hearing and sight gets impaired among roughly 14% of individuals (Lumen, 2017). However Anna reports hardly any changes in these areas. Elevated blood pressure rates, stroke and smoking aggravate vision and hearing impairment; the above factors are absent in Anna and her healthy lifestyle makes her unlikely to experience them in the near future.
(2) Significant illness/disease:
Anna's mom and dad, aged 80 and 87 years respectively, have started experiencing health issues. The former suffers from arthritis and struggles with walking while the latter has been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes. Among her siblings, Anna alone lives in town, thus, sees to her parents. Rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions commence during one’s 50s. Disability rates increase with age– 7% of individuals develop disability during their early 40s while by the time they reach their 60s, 30% of individuals develop disabilities, particularly underprivileged classes (Bumpass and Aquilino, 1995; Lumen, 2017). Despite arthritis not being hereditary, Anna ought to watch out. The typical midlife weight gain caused by belly fat deposits isn’t evident in Anna, on account of her healthy way of living. Her chief health concern is progressively increasing anxiety, caused by the uncertainty linked to her relationship with Robert, a Black American – a relationship frowned upon by her Catholic family. Consequently, she experiences sleep issues and constant worry regarding trivial routine things.
(3) Nutrition and exercise issues
Anna is a book club member, and is enrolled in the local gym and a cookery class. She is in good physical shape and socializes no less than once weekly with neighborhood friends. In her view, exercise significantly facilitates the combating of age-related changes, by building muscle, alleviating stress, improving metabolism, controlling blood glucose and increasing bone density. But not even 50% of midlife-age people exercise; of these, only two in ten exercise sufficiently strenuously and often, like Anna, to attain health benefits from it (Lumen, 2017).
Aging decreases individual calorie requirement. The common response to weight gain is dieting. More important than quantity is the quality of food consumed. Poor quality food consumption gives rise to mineral and vitamin deficits, necessitating mineral and vitamin supplements prescriptions (Lumen, 2017). But Anna’s healthy diet has prevented this issue thus far. Her cookery course recommends a diet regime suited to her age which she faithfully follows.
Anna’s Psychological functioning
(1) Cognitive development
Anna is evidently wise, strong, and independent, with a healthy lifestyle and a stable job. Information on midlife mental abilities reveals individuals in this phase (including Anna) exhibit equal or even better professional and personal performance as compared to younger people. Studies reveal dwindling numeric ability, while some indicate a slight deterioration in conscious processing efficacy and reaction time in midlife. But, on the whole, midlife psychometric intellectual functioning remains sound (Durkin, NA). Anna fails to show any of the above signs. However, distraction has caused her to miss deadlines of late. Her work quality, though, remains perfect, indicating sound cognitive abilities.
(2) Cultural development
For Anna, the midlife may be marked by: hitting the highest point in her intellectual skills, issue resolution ability and expertise. Her creative output can suffer in quantity though not in quality. In terms of career, any of the following is possible: reaching the pinnacle, career shift, or burnout (Papalia, Olds, and Feldman, 2017).
Middle?aged individuals exhibit considerably different thinking from youth. They have a set focus owing to understandings acquired from experience. Anna’s worldview has also changed, and she has understood the niceties of compromising, resolving conflicts and questioning authority. She displays Piaget's formal operations phase marked by the capabilities of abstract thinking, theory resolution and logical reasoning. However, for her current situation, formal operations doesn’t suffice. Life’s uncertainties might give rise to highly vague and variable issues that can’t be adequately handled by this sort of straightforward reasoning. The development and application of post-formal thought is likely, marked by objectively applying realistic common sense for tackling vague issues (Cliff Notes, 2017).
(3) Emotional development
Anna is less often, and intensely, experiencing resentment, dread and other negative emotions; she exhibits greater optimism, generally, with regard to her life now (Papalia, Olds, and Feldman, 2017). But her intimate relationship with Robert suggested an immense contrast: she is utterly torn between her personal preference, familial expectations, Robert’s views, and her own beliefs. Midlife persons perform better mentally and emotionally. In contradictory circumstances, they typically attempt at gauging others’ feelings and reasons underlying them, considering everyone’s views, and offering more balanced explanations. They apparently combine problem resolution and emotional understanding (Durkin, NA). Here’s where Anna falls short though; she has seldom questioned her religion or her family in relation to things she desires. Despite understanding differences, she fails at reaching common ground.
(4) Self-concept, self-esteem, and empowerment
Middle-aged individuals such as Anna are normally independent and have stablished their individual identity. However, during midlife, a shift might take place (Papalia, Olds, and Feldman, 2017). Anna, currently in a personal predicament, may experience this shift. Ultimately, she will need to balance her personal views with her family and religion.
(5) Significant life issues/events and diversity issues
The midlife is marked by contracting, yet more intimate, social networks. Anna is in regular contact with her friend circle. Child-rearing and parental-caregiving duties might normally lead to stress; however, Anna's children are independent adults and she only needs to perform the latter duty.
According to Erikson, midlife’s (45-65 years) main psychosocial task is generativity development (i.e., the need for increasing one's dedication to and influence on family, especially younger generations, and the community). Middle adults are interested in shaping and influencing younger generations. Those who do not succeed at this task develop self-centeredness or stagnation, linked to invalidism or hedonism (Cliff Notes, 2017). Anna’s job stability and active socializing life facilitate diversity handling. Her main problem, though, is her love life; her relationship is vehemently disliked by her staunch Catholic parents and sisters.
Describe Anna’s psychosocial functioning
Studies into marriage quality indicate decreased marital satisfaction in the child rearing years. The relationship improves after kids move out. Midlife divorces seldom occurred, at one time; currently, though, the trend is growing. Marital capital, empty nest impacts and timing, and socioeconomic standing can contribute to it. However, it is not as threatening to welfare in midlife as compared to young adulthood. While middle-aged individuals don’t commit much energy and time to friendships, they rely on social circles for practical assistance and emotional backing (Papalia, Olds, and Feldman, 2017). Spirituality, religiousness, and social institutions are a big factor in midlife; the former contribute positively to improving intergenerational family relationship quality, and participation in community and voluntary caregiving (Wink, & Dillon, 2004). Considering the above, the following aspects of Anna may be studied:
(1) Family environment
Anna has two children aged 23 and 26 who live out of state. She has been divorced for 4 years and had some problems adjusting back to being single and on her own. She had married her High School sweetheart and was shocked when he asked for a divorce. But she feels proud to have gotten through that difficult period. Anna's parents hold strong beliefs regarding their Catholic religion and morals/values. They are proud of Anna for earning her degree, but are disappointed that she is divorced and wish that she would find a good man and get married again soon.
(2) Social Institutions
Anna has a Bachelor’s degree in English and works for the local newspaper. She lives in a small apartment in a quiet suburb outside of Tampa, FL. She belongs to a book club, takes cooking classes, and also goes to exercise classes several times a week at her local gym. She is very healthy and sees several friends in the area at least once a week.
(3) Spirituality
Anna is unsure about her views on Catholicism. She agrees with some beliefs of the religion and disagrees with others. And these feeling have strongly heightened since she has been in a relationship with Robert who is not Catholic either and the relationship has had severe criticism for that reason from Anna's family.
(4) Community and social network
Anna belongs to a book club, takes cooking classes, and also goes to exercise classes several times a week at her local gym.
(5) Discrimination/ oppression and economic factors
Anna seems to be doing well at the economic and financial front with a steady job. It appears like she hasn’t had much to deal with in terms of oppression of discrimination till she got into a relationship with Robert who is a non-Catholic African American man.
(6) Resilience
Anna is confused regarding her feelings and her relationship with Robert is suffering. Anna feels like she is being pushed and pulled in different directions. She has never outwardly disagreed or challenged her parents before. She feels so unsure about everything and feels like she isnt strong enough to challenge the structure of her life or her parents without making things worse for herself at some level. she is struggling to find balance.
Saint Leo University’s core value of Personal Development and its link with this assignment
Excellence
Saint Leo University’s success is contingent on meticulous dedication to one’s vision, aims and mission (Saint Leo University, 2017). Anna has cultivated the above approach to excellence.
Community
Saint Leo University is known for developing cordial Christian learning groups wherever they serve (Saint Leo University, 2017). Anna rejects and doubts some Catholic principles, but continues to be religious and strives to fulfil her duties appropriately.
Respect
Animated in Christ’s spirit, the university appreciates people’s talents, has respect for dignity, and commits to work excellence (Saint Leo University, 2017). The above approach is reflected in Anna’s professional and personal decisions.
Personal Development
The University emphasizes individual physical, mental and spiritual development, to attain a balance in life (Saint Leo University, 2017). Anna’s professional and personal lives are well balanced with no one aspect of her life dominating over the other.
Integrity
Saint Leo University’s commitment to excel requires members to stick to its mission and promise (Saint Leo University, 2017). Anna also considers integrity to be crucial to routine personal and professional dealings.



References
Bumpass, L. L., & Aquilino, W. S. (1995). A social map of midlife: Family and work over the life course. Prepared for the MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Successful Midlife Development.
Cliff Notes. (2017). Developmental Psychology. Intellectual Development: Age 45–65. Retrieved from: https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides/psychology/development-psychology/physical-cognitive-development-4565/intellectual-development-age-4565
Durkin, K. (NA). Adolescence and Adulthood. Retrieved from: http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/intropsych/pdf/chapter10.pdf
Lachman, M. E. (2004). Development in Midlife. Annual Review of Psychology, 55(1), 305-331. doi: 10.1146/annurev.psych.55.090902.141521
Lumen. (2017). Introduction to Middle Adulthood. Retrieved from: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/lifespandevelopment2/chapter/introduction-to-lesson-9-middle-adulthood/
Papalia, D.E., Olds, S.W. and Feldman, R.D. (2017). Human Development, 10/e. Retrieved from: http://highered.mheducation.com/sites/0073133809/student_view0/landmarks_table.html
Saint Leo University. (2017). The First Florida Catholic University. Retrieved from: http://www.saintleo.edu/about/florida-catholic-university.aspx
Wink, Paul & Dillon, Michele. (2004). Religiousness, Spirituality, and Psychosocial Functioning in Late Adulthood: Findings From a Longitudinal Study.. Psychology and aging. 18. 916-24. 10.1037/0882-7974.18.4.916.