# Prof. Adam Alter's research on the impact of milestone birthdays

1 November 17, 2014 Stern in the News ![New York Magazine logo](/sites/default/files/styles/246w/public/assets/images/con_035440.gif?itok=tfYuio90)>

Excerpt from [New York Magazine](http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2014/11/we-make-our-big-life-decisions-at-29.html) -- "The years before beginning a brand-new decade — ages 29, 39, and so on — tend to be spent in self-reflection, according to a new paper published online today in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. These are the prime What am I doing with my life? years, in other words, which prompts many people to behave in ways that suggest 'an ongoing or failed search for meaning,' the authors write. Their data suggests that these are the ages when people are more likely to either train harder for a marathon or run one for the first time; they’re also the ages when more people tend to cheat on their marriages or take their own lives."

[Read more](http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2014/11/we-make-our-big-life-decisions-at-29.html)

Additional coverage appeared on [Daily Mail](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2839670/Does-partner-milestone-birthday-coming-Beware-likely-CHEAT-warns-study.html), [The Huffington Post](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/17/when-age-ends-in-9_n_6171782.html), [Pacific Standard](http://www.psmag.com/navigation/health-and-behavior/many-behavior-changes-big-birthday-approaches-94736/), [Runner's World](http://www.runnersworld.com/general-interest/first-marathons-and-extramarital-affairs) and [SHAPE](http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/things-youre-more-likely-do-when-your-age-ends-9). ## More Research by Adam Alter

- [Professor Jonathan Haidt shares his views on viewpoint diversity on college campuses ](https://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/faculty-research/professor-jonathan-haidt-viewpoint-diversity-on-college-campuses)
- [Professor Thomas Philippon and PhD student Germán Gutiérrez's joint research on corporate investment and growth in the US is referenced](https://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/faculty-research/professor-thomas-philippon-and-german-gutierrez-joint-research-referenced-financial-times)
- [Professor Adam Alter's joint research on categorizing experiences is featured](https://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/faculty-research/professor-adam-alter-s-joint-research-categorizing-experiences-featured)
- [Professor Lisa Leslie's joint research on flexible work arrangements is referenced](https://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/faculty-research/professor-lisa-leslie-s-joint-research-flexible-work-arrangements-referenced)
- [Professor Stijn Van Nieuwerburgh's research on the impact of out-of-town real estate buyers on cities is spotlighted](https://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/faculty-research/professor-stijn-van-nieuwerburgh-s-research-impact-out-town-real-estate-buyers-cities-spotlighted)