Journey of Adulthood, 10th edition

Published by Pearson (July 9, 2026) © 2027
  • Barbara R. Bjorklund
  • Julie Earles

Title overview

For courses in Adulthood and Aging and Psychology of Aging.

Reveal the dynamic process of development from early adulthood to end of life

The Journey of Adulthood explains the dynamic process of lifespan development from emerging adulthood until end of life. Referencing both large longitudinal and smaller studies, the text explores the influences of gender, culture, ethnicity, race and socioeconomic background upon aging.

Authors Barbara Bjorklund and Julie Earles have updated the 10th Edition to reflect changes in the field as well as the world around us. Fresh topics include the predictive power of personality traits, changes to the workforce and more.

Hallmark features of this title

  • Learning objectives identify the main topics of each chapter, helping focus student attention on the most salient points and serving as a preview of what is to come.
  • Chapter summaries, aligned to the learning objectives, wrap up the chapter’s key takeaways.
  • A Word from the Author chapter openers present a personal, often introspective look at the main themes of the chapter, illustrated through relevant stories. This feature helps to ground abstract theoretical concepts in the real world.
  • Critical thinking questions and essays encourage students to think deeply about a particular facet of development presented in the chapter.
  • Key terms are set in boldface type and defined upon first appearance in the text. Definitions are also offered in the glossary.

New and updated features of this title

  • UPDATED: For the 10th Edition of the text, the authors have provided a comprehensive update of all chapters. Almost 25% of the references are new to this edition, as are many of the figures and tables. The field of adult development is changing quickly, and the 10th Edition offers coverage of all recent major developments. Highlights include:
    • New coverage of the impact of COVID-19, including material on the disease's effects on cognition and discussion of the increase in remote work as a result of the pandemic
    • An in-depth review of depression and anxiety surrounding menopause, as well as new research on hormone replacement therapy for both men and women
    • An expanded discussion of the role of grandparents, including the types of support they provide for their grandchildren, plus updated research on the amount of contact adults have with their parents
    • New research on the mental and physical health effects of job loss, including how people’s perceptions of job loss affect their health outcomes
    • A discussion of the growing use of green burial practices, in which a person is buried without being embalmed or in a traditional coffin

Key features

Features of Pearson+ eTextbook for the 10th Edition

  • Our AI-powered study tool is like a teaching assistant that never sleeps. It offers personalized support and expert guidance when students need it most.
  • Interactive figures enable students to take a closer look at the data behind the graphics and actively engage with content while reading.

Table of contents

  1. Introduction to Adult Development
  2. Physical Changes
  3. Health and Health Disorders
  4. Cognitive Abilities
  5. Social Roles
  6. Social Relationships
  7. Work and Retirement
  8. Personality
  9. The Quest for Meaning
  10. Stress, Coping and Resilience
  11. Death and Bereavement
  12. The Successful Journey

Author bios

About our authors

Dr. Barbara Bjorklund has authored the last 6 editions of The Journey of Adulthood and is pleased to co-author this edition with Dr. Julie Earles. Dr. Bjorklund has taught psychology classes at colleges and universities across South Florida for over 40 years and has conducted research in both child and adult development. In addition to publishing research in academic journals, she has also written for the popular press and been a columnist for Parents magazine. Earlier editions of this book have been written in Germany, Spain, and New Zealand, where she was living as a visiting scholar. Currently, Dr. Bjorklund is an affiliate professor at the Wilkes Honors College of Florida Atlantic University.

Dr. Julie Earles is a Professor of Psychology at the Wilkes Honors College of Florida Atlantic University, where she teaches Lifespan Human Development, Adult Development and Aging, and Research Methods in Psychology. Her research program involves understanding how cognition changes with age, with an emphasis on developmental changes in memory for events. She has published over 30 articles and given over 100 presentations on her work. Her proudest accomplishment is her supervision of over 100 honors thesis projects by undergraduate students. She is also the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs for the Wilkes Honors College and enjoys enhancing connections between faculty and students as part of an engaged learning environment.

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