| Midlife crisis has recently become a popular topic in China. However, in China, there has been scant empirical research into Chinese midlife. This study set out to explore experiences of middle-aged people working or living in Shenzhen in China in order to discover whether middle age is a special stage in which crises and potential transformation occurs, the extent to which people's experiences are similar during midlife, and whether symptoms vary during the experience of a midlife crisis. Another goal was to discover ways in which midlife among Chinese people is similar to midlife as depicted in writings on Western people. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with 8 male and 8 female participants who were between the ages of 35 and 55. Data analysis, which was influenced by traditional Chinese, Jungian, existential, and lifespan models of midlife, included thematic summary of responses to six questions. Five overarching key findings emerged. The first was about participants' development and individuation, as reflected by resolution of problems with family of origin, degree of life satisfaction, and spiritual strivings. The second was that most participants were dissatisfied with work, life, or both, and lived with considerable anxiety about career and financial security. The third finding was that death anxiety presented in more unconscious than conscious ways. The fourth finding was that a midlife crisis as distinct from midlife stress was not a common event. The fifth key finding was that typical domains of midlife crisis were not unique to middle-aged people and were likely a continuation or reappearance of earlier psychological problems. Results are considered with respect to the rapid social change and unique demographic characteristics of Shenzhen. It is considered that midlife crisis is a phenomenon restricted to certain people in certain cultures and during certain historical periods. It may be that midlife crises are more likely to occur in cultures that are well developed, during times of quietude without massive social changes, and among people who have completed developmental tasks in childhood and early adulthood. |
