When people think about midlife, the first thing that typically comes to mind are outdated narratives such as the midlife crisis and empty nest syndrome. The new science of midlife tells us that midlife is a vibrant period in the lifespan filled with opportunity and societal engagement, but also challenges due to bridging younger and older generations and unprecedented financial vulnerabilities.

On top of this, recent empirical evidence has documented that large segments of US middle-aged adults are suffering more than in the past. This talk will discuss historical changes in midlife and explore the potential implications the changing landscape of midlife has for future planning.  

*This is a joint event with the International Estate Planning Council - complimentary registration

Author Bio: Frank J. Infurna, PhD

Dr. Frank J. Infurna is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at Arizona State University. He earned his PhD in Human Development and Family Studies from The Pennsylvania State University in 2012. Before starting at ASU in the Fall of 2013, he was a Visiting Research Scholar at the German Institute for Economic Research and a Post-Doctoral Researcher at the Institute of Psychology at Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany. During his career, he has won four early career awards for outstanding contributions to developmental psychology and behavioral and social gerontology. 

Dr. Infurna is a developmental psychologist who takes a lifespan approach to studying psychosocial and health development in adulthood and old age. His research is dedicated to examining how middle-aged and older adults adapt resiliently to major life stressors and developmental milestones and psychosocial factors that are precursors for outcomes of healthy aging, including cognitive functioning, physical functioning, disability, and longevity. His current research focuses on chronicling the ups and downs of individuals in midlife, more accurately conceptualizing development in midlife, and documenting historical changes in midlife health and well-being and its broader societal implications. He has published extensively in academic journals, in addition to several op-eds.