Adaptive development through adulthood entails developmental progress within multiple domains of life, such as health, work, and family. Adult status within these life domains is often solidified during established adulthood (30–45 years of age). Developmental progress within these central life domains is reflected in high perceived control and satisfaction, which should coincide with improved well-being. To test this proposition, we examined how developmental progress in central life domains codevelops with well-being during established adulthood. Multilevel growth model analyses were conducted using data from the Midlife in the United States study (MIDUS I, II, and III) for participants who completed at least two study assessments when they were between the ages of 30 and 45 (n = 614). The results indicated that established adults reported high levels of domain progress in their work, romantic partner and child relationships, and health, as well as moderate levels of prosocial and financial domain progress. While overall levels of well-being declined during established adulthood, higher levels of and positive changes in domain progress were linked with improved well-being during established adulthood. With few exceptions, demographic characteristics (age, sex, education, and income) did not moderate these linkages. Cumulatively, the results suggest that established adulthood is a developmental stage during which individuals progress in central developmental domains of adulthood, with the extent of this progress coinciding with improved well-being.

成年后的适应性发展需要在健康、工作和家庭等生活的多个领域取得发展。这些生活领域中的成人地位通常在成熟的成年期（30-45 岁）得到巩固。这些核心生活领域的发展进步反映在高度感知的控制和满意度上，这应该与幸福感的改善相一致。为了验证这个命题，我们研究了中心生命领域的发展进步如何与成年期的幸福感共同发展。使用来自美国中年研究（MIDUS I、II 和 III）的数据对 30 至 45 岁（n = 614）。结果表明，成熟的成年人报告了他们在工作、浪漫伴侣和孩子关系以及健康方面的高水平进步，以及中等水平的亲社会和金融领域进步。虽然在成熟的成年期总体幸福感下降，但更高水平的领域进步和积极的变化与成年期的幸福感改善有关。除了少数例外，人口特征（年龄、性别、教育和收入）并未缓和这些联系。总的来说，结果表明成熟的成年期是一个发展阶段，在此期间，个人在成年期的核心发展领域取得进展，这一进展的程度与幸福感的改善相吻合。