How Can I Be a Real Adult?

Author(s):  
Varda R. Mann-Feder

This chapter proposes that developmental theory can provide multiple lenses through which the transition to adulthood for youth from care can be understood and supported. This chapter outlines the benefits of a developmental approach and presents theories, such as Erikson’s identity theory and the theory of emerging adulthood, which stresses the importance of the identity formation process; attachment processes throughout the lifespan; and loss, grief, and mourning as it relates to the experiences of youth removed from home and placed incare. Relevant research with care leavers is reviewed, and implications are outlined for practice, policy, and future research that promotes optimal development for youth leaving care.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Oliveira ◽  
Gabriela Fonseca ◽  
Luciana Sotero ◽  
Carla Crespo ◽  
Ana Paula Relvas

<p>The current study aims to describe the relationships between emerging adults and their families and how these evolve over emerging adult years. Through a systematic review of the literature, we extracted data from 38 empirical studies, which met the following inclusion criteria: published since 2000, included emerging adults and/or their relatives as participants, and focused on family relationships. The results showed that most studies examined the parent-child relationship, providing insight into the relational renegotiations occurring during emerging adulthood and into inter-generational discrepancies in the way that parents and children viewed their relationships. Family support was also found to be of substantial relevance during this developmental stage. In addition, sex, age, living arrangements, family structure, socioeconomic status (SES), ethnicity and cultural contexts emerged as key factors influencing family relationships in varied ways. Implications for future research include the need to consider the family as the unit of analysis and to collect data from multiple family members; to conduct longitudinal studies in order to better understand changes in family relationships across emerging adulthood; and to focus on family relationships beyond the parent-child dyads, namely on sibling and grandparent-grandchildren relationships. In conclusion, this review provided a renewed perspective on family relationships during the transition to adulthood, contributing to clinical insights on individual and familial shifts in the fast-paced and complex contemporary context. </p>


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 333-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Palmeroni ◽  
Laurence Claes ◽  
Margaux Verschueren ◽  
Annabel Bogaerts ◽  
Tinne Buelens ◽  
...  

The process of identity formation can cause a considerable amount of distress leading to pathological forms of identity distress. The present study examined age trends in identity distress and associations with identity exploration and commitment in a sample of 2,286 Flemish adolescents and emerging adults (14–30 years, 55.7% females). Important and theoretically meaningful age trends in identity distress were uncovered. More specifically, identity distress demonstrated a curvilinear trend with the highest levels of distress occurring in emerging adulthood. Concerning the associations between identity distress and identity processes, we found differences among the age periods studied. Identity distress was especially positively related to exploration in breadth and negatively to commitment making in the late 20s, but less so in adolescence and the early 20s. In sum, these results provide important insights into identity distress throughout adolescence and emerging adulthood. Theoretical implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research are discussed.


2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 401-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon-Patrick Allem ◽  
Steve Sussman ◽  
Jennifer B. Unger

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.


Author(s):  
Élodie Marion ◽  
Veronika Paulsen

This chapter reports on a literature review that was conducted spanning the past 2 years to provide an overview of existing research and to identify future research needs in the field. Increased awareness of the changes related to traditional transition markers in emerging adulthood and of the poor outcomes and vulnerability of care leavers has led to a growing interest in this population. After a systematic process, 64 articles were included in the content analysis. This study identified four major topics that characterize recent research in this area: (1) policy, program, and services; (2) transition trajectories and markers; (3) social network and social support; and (4) subpopulations.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Oliveira ◽  
Gabriela Fonseca ◽  
Luciana Sotero ◽  
Carla Crespo ◽  
Ana Paula Relvas

<p>The current study aims to describe the relationships between emerging adults and their families and how these evolve over emerging adult years. Through a systematic review of the literature, we extracted data from 38 empirical studies, which met the following inclusion criteria: published since 2000, included emerging adults and/or their relatives as participants, and focused on family relationships. The results showed that most studies examined the parent-child relationship, providing insight into the relational renegotiations occurring during emerging adulthood and into inter-generational discrepancies in the way that parents and children viewed their relationships. Family support was also found to be of substantial relevance during this developmental stage. In addition, sex, age, living arrangements, family structure, socioeconomic status (SES), ethnicity and cultural contexts emerged as key factors influencing family relationships in varied ways. Implications for future research include the need to consider the family as the unit of analysis and to collect data from multiple family members; to conduct longitudinal studies in order to better understand changes in family relationships across emerging adulthood; and to focus on family relationships beyond the parent-child dyads, namely on sibling and grandparent-grandchildren relationships. In conclusion, this review provided a renewed perspective on family relationships during the transition to adulthood, contributing to clinical insights on individual and familial shifts in the fast-paced and complex contemporary context. </p>


2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 254-265
Author(s):  
Anna Izabela Brzezińska ◽  
Konrad Piotrowski

Abstract The article presents both the classical and contemporary approaches to the analysis of identity formation. Special emphasis has been placed on the processual approach, in which identity is regarded as a dynamic construct that remains in constant, mutual relations with personal and contextual factors. Since research on identity has been predominantly based on studies conducted on individuals in adolescence and early adulthood, i.e. in the time of transition to adulthood, the article focuses on adulthood markers that may be found in this particular phase of human development. The authors have distinguished different markers of adulthood (transitions to adult roles, psychosocial maturity, sense of adulthood) and have described their links to identity. In the conclusion of the present paper, it has been stressed that future research on identity should to a large extent include factors originating from these different categories of conditions, and that researchers ought to consider the interactions of these factors as predictors of identity formation


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Oliveira ◽  
Gabriela Fonseca ◽  
Luciana Sotero ◽  
Carla Crespo ◽  
Ana Paula Relvas

<p>The current study aims to describe the relationships between emerging adults and their families and how these evolve over emerging adult years. Through a systematic review of the literature, we extracted data from 38 empirical studies, which met the following inclusion criteria: published since 2000, included emerging adults and/or their relatives as participants, and focused on family relationships. The results showed that most studies examined the parent-child relationship, providing insight into the relational renegotiations occurring during emerging adulthood and into inter-generational discrepancies in the way that parents and children viewed their relationships. Family support was also found to be of substantial relevance during this developmental stage. In addition, sex, age, living arrangements, family structure, socioeconomic status (SES), ethnicity and cultural contexts emerged as key factors influencing family relationships in varied ways. Implications for future research include the need to consider the family as the unit of analysis and to collect data from multiple family members; to conduct longitudinal studies in order to better understand changes in family relationships across emerging adulthood; and to focus on family relationships beyond the parent-child dyads, namely on sibling and grandparent-grandchildren relationships. In conclusion, this review provided a renewed perspective on family relationships during the transition to adulthood, contributing to clinical insights on individual and familial shifts in the fast-paced and complex contemporary context. </p>


SAGE Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 215824401668491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia K Colbridge ◽  
Alex Hassett ◽  
Emma Sisley

Identity formation may be more complex for those who have been in foster care in the face of childhood abuse, difficult relationships, unstable environments, and multiple care contexts but this does not imply there is anything pathological about it. Given the higher levels of mental health difficulties in looked after children and the known role identity has in mental health, whether as a risk or a protective factor, it seems clinically significant to investigate what factors help construct or hinder the formation of identity for those who have been in care. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to analyze semistructured interviews of eight female care leavers about the understanding of their identity development. Three superordinate themes emerged which encapsulated participants’ identity development. These included Construction of Identity—How I Became Me, Understanding of Identity—Who am I, and Experience of Identity—How My Identity Plays Out. Participants’ construction of identity can be understood in the context of early adverse environments and developmental trauma. This construction of self, in turn, mediates how participants understand and experience their identity. Findings were discussed in relation to previous research, and limitations were outlined. Implications for future research included giving fuller consideration to the role of developmental trauma in identity formation. Clinical implications encourage understanding of looked after children and care leavers in the context of developmental trauma, rather than focusing on symptoms of various diagnoses.


Author(s):  
Anduamlak Molla Takele ◽  
Messay Gebremariam Kotecho ◽  
Philip Mendes

International research consistently shows that young care leavers’ journey from care to emerging adulthood is characterised by adversities such as unemployment, poor academic performance, homelessness, involvement in criminal activities, mental illness and early parenthood. As research evidence points out, such negative outcomes are closely linked with the existence of multiple placements, lack of mentoring, limited connections with significant others, the absence of early preparation to leave care, and a dearth of or inadequate policy frameworks that entitle care leavers to use aftercare support schemes. In order to support care leavers’ transition from care to emerging adulthood, Global North countries have implemented an independent care leaving policy framework that serves as a scaffolding for challenges that would arise from care leavers’ exploration of the adult world upon leaving care. However, such experience in formulation of policy to empower care leavers to be an independent adult is not well developed in countries in Global South due to the infant nature of research on care leaving and a preference for addressing the issues of care leavers in the existing child policy frameworks rather than formulating a special policy that deals with care leaving. The status of Ethiopia in this regard is not different. Existing policy frameworks concerning children have failed to address the needs of Ethiopian care leavers despite the existence of over five million orphan and vulnerable children in the country most of whom are placed in institutional childcare centres. This article presents the case for an independent care leaving policy in Ethiopia to address the multifaceted needs of children in care and improve the care leaving service in the country. Thus, the study will shed light on the state of care leaving policy in the world and lessons for Ethiopia to support Ethiopia’s attempt to serve the most vulnerable children in care by developing its own care leaving policy.


Electronics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (14) ◽  
pp. 1611
Author(s):  
María Cora Urdaneta-Ponte ◽  
Amaia Mendez-Zorrilla ◽  
Ibon Oleagordia-Ruiz

Recommendation systems have emerged as a response to overload in terms of increased amounts of information online, which has become a problem for users regarding the time spent on their search and the amount of information retrieved by it. In the field of recommendation systems in education, the relevance of recommended educational resources will improve the student’s learning process, and hence the importance of being able to suitably and reliably ensure relevant, useful information. The purpose of this systematic review is to analyze the work undertaken on recommendation systems that support educational practices with a view to acquiring information related to the type of education and areas dealt with, the developmental approach used, and the elements recommended, as well as being able to detect any gaps in this area for future research work. A systematic review was carried out that included 98 articles from a total of 2937 found in main databases (IEEE, ACM, Scopus and WoS), about which it was able to be established that most are geared towards recommending educational resources for users of formal education, in which the main approaches used in recommendation systems are the collaborative approach, the content-based approach, and the hybrid approach, with a tendency to use machine learning in the last two years. Finally, possible future areas of research and development in this field are presented.


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