Adolescents’ Implicit Theories of Maturity

Abstract

Conceptions of maturity were explored among 170 adolescents in Grades 7 and 10. Adolescents were asked at what ages (and why) they expected to reach adulthood, experience the most freedom, and have the most fun. Adolescents expected to have fun at an earlier age than they expected freedom or adulthood. The majority of adolescents cited the acquisition of independence as critical to their expectations for the ages of adulthood (71%) and freedom (74%). Some chronological transitions, such as reaching driving age (41%) as well as acquiring independence (41%), were associated with the expected age for fun. Adolescents who felt older than their age and engaged in more problem behaviors but were low on psychosocial maturity, were more likely than other adolescents to cite chronological transitions as indicative of freedom. The importance of these conceptions for guiding adolescents through the transition to adulthood is discussed.