When I talk about my work specialising in the Psychology of Midlife, one of the first questions I get asked is “when is midlife anyway?”
If you search midlife online you will be inundated with page after page of ‘midlife crisis’ symptoms and how to deal with them. However, very little of what you find there is based on robust or relevant evidence I’m afraid.
If you go back to the source of the term ‘midlife crisis’ you will discover that it doesn’t mean anything like the ‘inevitable bump in the road’ it has come to mean in everyday parlance.
The term ‘midlife crisis’ was coined by Eliot Jacques back in 1965. His work was based solely on male patients and has not been replicated since.
Since then, studies have found little evidence that a crisis is any more likely in midlife than at any other time, but some do suggest the impact of a major life event may have longer lasting implications at this stage (Johnson, Kawachi and Lewis, 2009).
The origin of the word ‘crisis’ is the Greek word ‘krisis’ which actually means ‘decision or decisive point’ as opposed to the commonly used meaning of ‘crisis’ – ‘a time of great disagreement, confusion, or suffering’ (Cambridge Dictionary). In many cultures, midlife is still seen as an important and natural time to pause, take stock, make decisions – not a time for ridicule or impatience.
When is midlife?
In a government or policy context, midlife is generally considered to the gap between the end of youth and the start of old age!
Across Europe, there are varying perceptions of the length of midlife. European Social Survey data suggests midlife could be 40 to 62. Interestingly, across countries, there was less consensus around when youth ended than old age began. The ‘end of youth’ ranged from 34 in Norway to 52 in Greece with a mean of 40. ‘Old age’ ranged from 55 to 68 with a mean of 62 (AGE UK report, 2011; DWP report, 2011).
For my research, I am using the range of 40 to 62 years old.
A uniquely challenging time
Mid-life can be a uniquely challenging time with the collision of social, physiological and emotional challenges (Ryan, 2023; Jackson, 2019; Lachman at al., 2015). Despite well reported longer working lives, few organisations are proactively addressing the retention, engagement and progression of midlifers (Gordon & Whelan, 1998; Strenger & Ruttenberg, 2008; Irving, 2018).
Choices made at this stage can significantly impact future health, wealth, wellbeing and happiness in later life
(Lachman et al., 2015)
The evidence for a midlife review (or midlife MOT) is compelling. They typically address the three interacting spheres of work, wellbeing and wealth. Leading organisations such as Aviva are providing targeted support for their over 45s. The uptake and ROI has been amazing. The UK government even provides free resources online.
Fulfilling work
“Is this really where I want to invest my heart beats?”
Research participant
Fulfilling work is a worthy aspiration for most people – bringing long term health and happiness benefits. Fulfilment is important throughout life, but evidence suggests it becomes even more important in midlife – influencing our choices about the work we do, where we do it, who we do it with.
Reinventing your work in midlife doesn’t always involve a wholesale change – it’s really about reinventing how you relate to your work. To discover more, take a look at this other article…
Further reading
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dwp-launches-new-midlife-mot-website
A Snapshot of Ageism in the UK and across Europe – Report by Age UK (2011)
Department for Work and Pensions Research Report No 735 (2011). Predictors of attitudes to age across Europe Dominic Abrams, Christin-Melanie Vauclair and Hannah Swift.
Irving, P. (2018) ‘When no one retires’, in Irving, P. ‘The Ageing Workforce’, Harvard Business Review, November edition, pp. 3-8.
Lachman, M. E., Teshale, S., & Agrigoroaei, S. (2015). Midlife as a pivotal period in the life course. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 39(1), 20–31.
Ryan, L. (2023). Revolting Women: Why midlife women are walking out, and what to do about it. Practical Inspiration Publishing.
Fulfilling work 