Perception of Adulthood and Psychological Adjustment in Emerging Adults

Abstract

One of the goals of the study was to check the differences in
perception of adult status and fulfilment of achieved subjective
criteria of adulthood regarding the transitional markers
(professional status and living with parents) and gender. Another
goal was to test the contribution of transitional markers,
achieved subjective criteria of adulthood and perceived adult
status on anxiety, depression and life satisfaction, with control of
demographics. A sample of 572 university students, the
employed, and the unemployed emerging adults, has been
assessed. The measures included Depression and Anxiety Stress
Scale, The Satisfaction with Life Scale, Achieved Criteria for
Adulthood and Adult Status. The results show that the employed
perceived the highest number of achieved adulthood criteria.
After controlling for transitional markers, fewer achieved criteria
of adulthood predict more symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Emerging adults who perceive more achieved criteria of
adulthood and who feel as adults have higher life satisfaction.
The unemployed young adults, especially men, are at higher risk
of having poor psychological adjustment as they struggle with
the full realization of an adult role.