Abstract
This article reviews studies on adult development published in Japan between July 2011 and June 2012. Although the number of articles is limited, there are an increasing number of studies applying the life-span developmental psychological perspective. After introducing Baltes' theory of life-span development, which is the basis for this article, studies of adult development focusing on "development through experience," "transitions," and "Erikson's developmental model" are reviewed. From the perspective of "development through experience," the studies discuss the developmental process through relatively normative experiences (such as being parents or partners) as well as non-normative personal life events (such as being parents of children with disabilities). Regarding "transitions," there were studies focusing on the transition of women's vocational adjustment from late adolescent to early adulthood as well as marital relationships and mental health from middle to late adulthood. Concerning "Erikson's developmental model," there were studies examining older adults that focused on generativity, the process of changing maternal images, and the development of basic trust. The issues, challenges, and future directions in this field are discussed in this article.
