Emerging adulthood 

About: Emerging adulthood is an academic journal published by SAGE Publishing. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Identity (social science) & Mental health. It has an ISSN identifier of 2167-6968. Over the lifetime, 600 publications have been published receiving 10093 citations. The journal is also known as: EA.

Guidelines for Establishing Reliability When Coding Narrative Data

Abstract: The use of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches has been foundational to research on emerging adulthood, yet there remain many unresolved methodological issues pertaining to how ...

The Challenge of Romantic Relationships in Emerging Adulthood Reconceptualization of the Field

Abstract: Although theories of romantic stage development suggest that youth in the period of emerging adulthood are fully capable of commitment to an intimate romantic relationship, recent research suggests that the relationships of many young people are quite different. Marriage and other forms of deep commitment are delayed while many youth engage in short-term casual encounters or in noncommitted relationships. In this article, we suggest that these data pose a challenge to stage theories that can be reconciled by considering the developmental life tasks that emerging adults must simultaneously resolve. We propose a transitional emerging adult romantic stage, coordinating romance and life plans, in which young people strive to integrate their career paths and life plans with those of a romantic partner. Resolution of this stage provides the grounding for long-term commitment to a life partner. This proposal is discussed within the perspective of life cycle and evolutionary life history theories.

Identity in emerging adulthood: Reviewing the field and looking forward

Abstract: The present article presents a review of identity status-based theory and research with adolescents and emerging adults, with some coverage of related approaches such as narrative identity and identity style. In the first section, we review Erikson's theory of identity and early identity status research examining differences in personality and cognitive variables across statuses. We then review two contemporary identity models that extend identity status theory and explicitly frame identity development as a dynamic and iterative process. We also review work that has focused on specific domains of identity. The second section of the article discusses mental and physical health correlates of identity processes and statuses. The article concludes with recommen- dations for future identity research with adolescent and emerging adult populations. Identity is a fundamental psychosocial task for young people. Beginning in their early teens, adolescents start to ask questions such as ''Who am I?'' ''What am I doing in my life?'' ''What kind of relationships do I want?'' ''What kind of work do I want to do?'' and ''What are my beliefs?''(Archer, 1982). The con- sideration of alternative possibilities often coincides with the advent of formal operational thought during adolescence (Kret- tenauer, 2005). As young people develop the ability to consider an abstract idea such as who and what they could be, they may begin to imagine new and different possibilities for themselves. Accordingly, the purpose of this article is to review what is known about identity in young people—with particular atten- tion to work conducted since 2000. We begin with an overview of what identity is (from a developmental perspective), how it functions, and how the task of developing a sense of identity has changed in the past 40-50 years due to technological advances and associated social changes. We attend to research and theory that is rooted in the pioneering work of Erikson (1950), who was one of the first ''grand theorists'' to character- ize identity as a fundamental task of adolescence and of the transition to adulthood. We then review a number of prominent neo-Eriksonian identity theories and some of the content domains in which identity processes operate. We focus partic- ularly on Marcia's identity status model, which was one of the first empirical operationalizations of Erikson's work and has generated more than 45 years of theoretical and empirical work. We also review two other prominent neo-Eriksonian approaches, identity style and narrative identity. We then review research linking identity processes and domains with psychosocial and health outcomes. Finally, we suggest future directions for identity research.

Emerging in a Digital World A Decade Review of Media Use, Effects, and Gratifications in Emerging Adulthood

Abstract: This article reviews the recent literature on uses, effects, and gratifications of media during emerging adulthood. We examine traditional media forms, including television, films, video games, music, and books, and also newer media, such as cell phones, social networking sites, and other Internet use. We find that emerging adults spend more time using the media than they spend doing any other activity, with the most time being spent on the Internet and listening to music. We also find that exposure to certain types of media content can influence both positive and negative outcomes in emerging adulthood, including, aggressive and prosocial behavior, body image, sexual behavior, friendship quality, and academic achievement. We also show that emerging adults use the media to gratify certain needs; key among these are for autonomy, identity, and intimacy needs. Finally, we discuss areas for future research involving media and emerging adulthood.

Casual Sexual Relationships and Experiences in Emerging Adulthood

Abstract: Casual sexual relationships and experiences (CSREs) such as hookups, one-night stands, friends with benefits relationships, and booty calls have received increasing attention in the past decade. This review examines the role of CSREs during emerging adulthood, as well as similarities and differences among the different types of CSREs. Furthermore, we examine the predictors and positive and negative consequences of engaging in CSREs. While research in the area of CSREs has provided important information about the development and course of these relationships/experiences, future research should focus on exploring these relationships/experiences using an integrated theoretical perspective and longitudinal methods, in diverse, noncollege samples.