The role of normative crises in the dynamics of the value-semantic sphere at midlife stage

Abstract

The subject of this research is the correlation between the positive experience of going through the midlife normative crisis and the mechanisms of development of the value-semantic sphere. The goal of this article lies in description of the results of empirical study dedicated to tracing the dependence of positive experience of going through midlife normative crisis on such mechanisms of the development of value-semantic sphere as self-cognition, self-fulfillment, self-determination, and self-transcendence. The article employs the method of comparison that allows concluding on the peculiarities of value-semantic sphere in the groups of respondents with or without experience of going through midlife crisis; method of measurement for determining the numerical values of the measured quantity – the level of manifestation of certain values, mechanisms, parameters, etc; cross-sectional method is used for obtaining empirical data. The validity of the acquired results is ensured by the standardized psychological tools for collecting information, as well as by reference to the methods of mathematical statistics. The conclusion is drawn that positive experience of going through the normative midlife crisis is associated with the higher level of manifestation of such mechanisms of the development of value-semantic sphere as self-cognition, self-fulfillment, self-determination, and self-transcendence. It is established that value-semantic benchmarks in the groups of respondents with positive experience of going through the age crisis depends on the spiritual satisfaction and achievements; while negative experience is rather associated with self-centered values. The novelty of this research lies in establishing correlation between the positive experience of going through the normative midlife crisis and the mechanisms of the development of value-semantic sphere. The obtained results can be used by practicing psychologists and acmeologists dealing with the professional growth and personal becoming, family crises, and developmental crises.