Problem 6: adolescence to adulthood

Question 1

how is emerging adulthood distinct demographically?

Answer 1

great diversity and change in demographics between 18-25, can really predict anything based on age

Question 2

how is emerging adulthood distinct subjectively?

Answer 2

-don’t see themselves belonging to either adolescents or adults
-predictors of seeing yourself as adult: accepting responsibility for oneself, making independent decisions, being financially independent
-career, marriage, parenthood are worst predictors

Question 3

how is emerging adulthood distinct when it comes to identity?

Answer 3

-exploration of love, work and worldview
-open to new perspectives
-optimistic about self, pessimistic about society

Question 4

theoretical background for emerging adulthood + other findings:

Answer 4

-erikson: there is actually and EA period (doesn’t name it) + experimentation
-Levinson: 17-33 = novice phase
-Keniston: theory of youth = time of tension between self and society = still exploring themselves
-peak in risk behaviour between 18-25 + sensation seeking peak

Question 5

emerging adulthood across cultures

Answer 5

-phase occurs in all cultures
-culture differences in terms of onset and duration
-social class is important
-people from rural areas have less opportunities, sooner taking on adult roles

Question 6

2018, Arnett & Mitra:
-aim
-hypothesis
-method

Answer 6

-aim: see if EA is actually a distinct phase
-hypothesis: it would be distinct
-method: measuring identity, self-focus, instability, feeling in-between, possibilities/optimism (later include quality of life and mental health) in ages 18-60 in US
= cross sectional
2905 participants

Question 7

2018, Arnett & mitra:
-results
-limitations

Answer 7

-features are common in 18-25 but other age group have them as well (not completely distinct)
-feeling in between is only sign difference
-feeling of instability is unique feature for 18-25, mixed evidence for other 4 features

limitations:
-only US sample –> not representative
-include control group

Question 8

2011, Rossi & Mebert: does a quarter life crisis exist?
-aim
-method

Answer 8

-aim: examine if there is a quarter life crisis (when moving from uni to work)
-method: 4 groups (high school to work, high school to college, college to work and college to grad school)
measures were taken for future time perspective, ego identity development, social support, coping and group membership
depressive, anxiety symptoms and job and life satisfaction were outcome measures

Question 9

2011 rossi & mebert:
-results

Answer 9

-college to work: most content
-high school to work: worst outcomes
-anxiety was predicted by group membership
-college to work is better sense of control than high school to work

Question 10

2011 rossi & Hebert:
-limitations

Answer 10

-small sample in high school to work group
-fewer men than women
-small number of minority respondents
-overall response was low

Question 11

2016, Meier & Lee: stagnant or successful, carefree or anxious? Australian uni students’ goals and beliefs about adulthood and their current wellbeing
-aim
-method

Answer 11

-aim: investigate young adults that don’t want to grow up on their aspirations of future adult lives, views of life now and in future, views of what sign others want from the, views of current wellbeing
-method: longitudinal surveys

Question 12

2016 meier & lee:
-results

Answer 12

-68% wants to reach adulthood
-want education, work, family = traditional adulthood, against hypothesis
-no difference in gender

Question 13

2016 meier & lee:
-limitations

Answer 13

-focus on middle or upper class western Australian students
-results not generalisable to all unis
-heavily rely on qualitative data
-design and context may influence responses