The influence of culture in emerging adulthood: Perspectives of Chinese college students

2004 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry J. Nelson ◽  
Sarah Badger ◽  
Bo Wu
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Transition To Adulthood ◽  
Chinese Culture ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cultural Construction ◽  
Chinese College Students ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Adult Status

Emerging adulthood refers to a time period (18–25 years of age) between adolescence and adulthood. Recent research suggests that it may be a cultural construction. More traditional, non-Western cultures may have a shortened period of emerging adulthood, or no emerging adulthood at all, because these cultures tend to place greater emphasis on practices that lead to an earlier transition to adulthood. The purpose of this study was to examine emerging adulthood in the Chinese culture, including (1) the types of criteria Chinese young people deem necessary for becoming an adult, (2) the types of behaviours Chinese emerging adults are engaging in, (3) identity-related issues, and (4) other aspects of Chinese culture that might suggest that emerging adulthood in China may be different than in the United States. Participants in this study were 207 students at Beijing Normal University located in Beijing, China. Results provided evidence to support the notion that emerging adulthood is affected by culture. Findings revealed that the majority of Chinese college students (1) feel they have reached adult status in their early twenties, (2) have culturally specific criteria for adult status, and (3) tend to engage in behaviours and have beliefs and values that appear to differ from emerging adults in Western cultures.

scholarly journals The Revised Inventory of the Dimensions of Emerging Adulthood (IDEA-R) and Substance Use Among College Students

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 401-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon-Patrick Allem ◽  
Steve Sussman ◽  
Jennifer B. Unger
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Binge Drinking ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Transition To Adulthood ◽  
Marijuana Use ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Substance Use Prevention ◽  
Identity Exploration

Transition-to-adulthood themes, or thoughts and feelings about emerging adulthood, have been measured by the Inventory of the Dimensions of Emerging Adulthood (IDEA) and found to be associated with substance use among emerging adults. It has been suggested, however, that the IDEA is lengthy and may not include the most unique and theoretically relevant constructs of emerging adulthood. The Revised Inventory of the Dimensions of Emerging Adulthood (IDEA-R) was developed as an alternative instrument, but research has yet to determine the relationship between the IDEA-R and substance use among emerging adults (ages 18–25 years). College students completed surveys indicating their identification with transition-to-adulthood themes and substance use. Logistic regression models examined the associations between transition-to-adulthood themes and marijuana use and binge drinking, respectively. Participants who felt emerging adulthood was a time of identity exploration were less likely to report marijuana use, while feelings of experimentation/possibility were positively associated with marijuana use and binge drinking. The IDEA-R may be useful for identifying correlates of substance use among emerging adults. Future research should evaluate the IDEA-R among representative samples of emerging adults to confirm the findings of this study. Health professionals working in substance use prevention may consider targeting the themes of identity exploration and experimentation/possibility in programs intended for emerging adults.

Flourishing in Emerging Adulthood

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Transition To Adulthood ◽  
Adult Development ◽  
Dark Side ◽  
Positive Development ◽  
Cultural Immersion ◽  
Time Period ◽  
The Face

The goal of this volume is to highlight the third decade of life as one in which individuals have diverse opportunities for positive development that may set the stage for future adult development, as well as to encourage more research on how young people are flourishing during this time period. Despite a preponderance of focus on the negative or dark side of emerging adulthood in research and the media, there is mounting evidence that this time period, at least for a significant majority, is a unique developmental period in which positive development is fostered. The volume consists of chapters written by leading scholars in diverse disciplines who address various aspects of flourishing. It addresses multiple aspects of positive development, including how young people flourish in key areas of emerging adulthood (e.g., identity, love, work, worldviews), the various unique opportunities afforded to young people to flourish (e.g., service experiences, university-based cultural immersion), how flourishing might look different around the world, and how flourishing can occur in the face of challenge (e.g., health issues, disabilities, exposure to violence). In addition, most chapters are accompanied by essays from emerging adults who exemplify the aspect of flourishing denoted in that chapter, and make note of how choices and experiences helped them (or are currently helping them) transition to adulthood. Taken together, the book provides rich evidence and examples of how young people are flourishing as a group and as individuals in a variety of settings and circumstances.

scholarly journals CRITERIA FOR THE TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD, DEVELOPMENTAL FEATURES AND PERCEIVED ADULT STATUS AMONG BULGARIAN STUDENTS

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 484-509
Author(s):  
Eva Papazova ◽  
Krasimira Mineva
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Transition To Adulthood ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
Age Identity ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
Adult Status ◽  
Developmental Features

The study focuses on emerging adulthood and the transition to adulthood in Bulgaria, a topic that is rarely studied in the country. The participants were 233 students aged 18-30. Indicators such as criteria for the transition to adulthood, developmental features, and perceived adult status are examined. The results confirm the presence of a specificity that highlights a period of emerging adulthood in Bulgaria. More than two-thirds of the sample is perceived as emerging adults. The most preferred criteria for the transition to adulthood is Starting a family, and the least preferred Chronological age. Identity and Opportunities / Experimentation are the most valued as dimensions of maturity during the emerging adulthood period. Similarities with data from other studies within EU countries have been identified and discussed.

scholarly journals Criteria for the transition to adulthood, developmental features of emerging adulthood, and views of the future among Greek studying youth

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evangelia Galanaki ◽  
Sophie Leontopoulou
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Transition To Adulthood ◽  
Living Arrangement ◽  
Identity Exploration ◽  
Job Experience ◽  
Norm Compliance ◽  
The Future ◽  
Adult Status ◽  
Developmental Features

This study investigated emerging adulthood and transition to adulthood in Greece, a highly underresearched issue in this country. Participants were 784 university students aged 17.5-27.5 years. Criteria for the transition to adulthood, developmental features of emerging adulthood, perceived adult status, views of the future (optimism), and sociodemographic variables were assessed. The results support the existence of emerging adulthood as a distinct life period in Greece. More than two thirds of the sample were self-perceived emerging adults. Most prevalent criteria were Norm compliance and Family capacities. Developmental features of emerging adulthood ranked high, especially Identity exploration, Experimentation/possibilities, and Feeling “in-between”. Statistically significant variations emerged as a function of gender, age, living arrangement, job experience, and perceived adult status. Views of the future were cautiously optimistic. Similarities with existing data and differences related to the specific characteristics of the Southern European context are discussed.

scholarly journals Financial Stress and Drinking During the Transition to Adulthood: The Role of Parental Financial Support

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 490-500
Author(s):  
Joyce Serido ◽  
Amanda M. Pollitt ◽  
Joel A. Muraco ◽  
Katherine J. Conger ◽  
Stephen T. Russell
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Transition To Adulthood ◽  
Parental Support ◽  
Financial Support ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Financial Stress ◽  
The United States ◽  
Equation Modeling

We investigated the concurrent and prospective associations between financial stress and drinking during the transition to adulthood in the United States, drawing from two distinct stress and coping perspectives as competing explanations for the direction of associations: the Transactional Model of Stress and the Conservation of Resources (CoR) model. Because many emerging adults rely on continuing financial support from parents, we examined the role of parental support on these associations. We tested these associations using longitudinal structural equation modeling with data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health ( N = 9,026) collected at two time points: early emerging adulthood (ages 18–26) and 5 years later. Consistent with CoR, financial stress reduced concurrent drinking. Furthermore, parental financial support reduced adult children’s financial stress but increased drinking in early emerging adulthood. We discuss the findings in regard to facilitating the transition to adulthood.

Religiosity and spirituality during the transition to adulthood

2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 311-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn McNamara Barry ◽  
Larry Nelson ◽  
Sahar Davarya ◽  
Shirene Urry
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Transition To Adulthood ◽  
Psychosocial Development ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Time Period ◽  
The Media ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Religiosity And Spirituality ◽  
Socializing Agents

Emerging adults (approximately 18 to 25 years of age) experience heightened self-exploration regarding their beliefs and values, including those concerning religiosity and spirituality. The purpose of this article is to review the literature regarding religiosity and spirituality in emerging adulthood. First, we document developmental advances in physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development that support this exploration along with theoretical and empirical work on how religiosity and spirituality develop during this time period. Second, we examine the research on prevalence rates for and correlates of religiosity and spirituality. Third, we examine socializing agents of religiosity and spirituality that document parents’ indirect role relative to other adults, peers, and the media. Next, we examine the role that culture, community, and gender play in the development and socialization of religious and spiritual beliefs and practices. Lastly, future research directions and implications of the findings are discussed.

Disability and the Transition to Adulthood in the United States

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony R. Bardo ◽  
Ashley Vowels
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Transition To Adulthood ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Medical Model ◽  
The United States ◽  
Life Transitions ◽  
Major Life ◽  
Cumulative Inequality ◽  
The Life Course

This chapter provides a synthesis of the literature on the transition to adulthood among emerging adults with a disability in the United States. The life course paradigm was used to frame the discussion in the context of demographic trends and contemporary circumstances regarding major life transitions in the areas of education, employment, independent living, and sex, marriage, and parenthood. A critical assessment of the current state of the literature from a social versus medical model of disability in these central life domains provides a foundation from which sociologists can explore processes of cumulative inequality embedded in the relatively uncharted lives of transition-age youth with a disability.

Reaching Adult Status Among Emerging Adults in United States, Italy, and Taiwan

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (9) ◽  
pp. 659-682
Author(s):  
Troy E. Beckert ◽  
ChienTi Plummer Lee ◽  
Paolo Albiero
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Young People ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Autonomy Support ◽  
Filial Piety ◽  
The United States ◽  
Alignment Procedure ◽  
Parental Autonomy Support ◽  
Parental Autonomy ◽  
Adult Status

Today, most societies allow more time for young people to transition to adulthood. Compared to youth from a generation ago, young people today are delaying marriage, prolonging their educational pursuits, and deemphasizing the need for a single life-long career. The purpose of this study was to delineate patterns of transitioning to adulthood among young people from three countries. As part of a collaborative multisite project, 1,310 emerging adults from Taiwan ( n = 372), Italy ( n = 364), and the United States ( n = 574) provided perceptions of their endorsement and attainment of certain commonly accepted adult status markers. Using latent profile analysis, a four-class model emerged. The groups were not culturally specific and the groupings highlighted unique approaches to how emerging adults conceptualized adulthood. Using Marcia’s identity statuses as loose labels for each group, the achieved group was the largest as they showed an inclination toward endorsing and attaining most adult markers. Other groups showed both delay (diffused) and perplexity (transitional) toward many markers of adulthood. Using an alignment procedure to account for cross-cultural measurement non-invariance, the role of individualism-collectivism, filial piety, and parental autonomy support in relation to adult status profiles were also explored across participant groups. Vertical collectivism and authoritarian filial piety were the most predictive whereas parental autonomy support was less predictive in class membership in both the overall and stratified regression analyses.

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