Abstract
BackgroundEmerging adulthood is a unique segment of an individual’s life course. The defining features of this transitional period include identity exploration, instability, future possibilities, self-focus, and feeling in-between adolescence and adulthood, all of which are thought to affect quality of life, health, and well-being. A longitudinal cohort study with a comprehensive set of measures would be a unique and valuable resource for improving the understanding of the multi-faceted elements and unique challenges that contribute to the health and well-being of emerging adults.ObjectiveThe main aim of this pilot study is to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of recruiting university graduates to establish a longitudinal cohort study to inform our understanding of emerging adulthood.MethodsThis is a pilot longitudinal cohort study of Australian university graduates. It will involve collecting information via online surveys (baseline and 12-month follow-up) and data linkage with health records. Recruitment, response, and retention rates will be calculated. Descriptive analysis of the representativeness of recruited participants and completeness of survey responses will be conducted.ResultsParticipant recruitment was completed in October 2018, and data collection for the baseline and follow-up surveys was completed in November 2019. As of April 2020, the process of acquiring health records from administrative data collections has commenced.ConclusionsThe findings from this pilot study will identify areas for improvement and inform the development of a future longitudinal cohort study of emerging adults.Trial RegistrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618001364268; https://tinyurl.com/teec8whInternational Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/16108
Highlights
Throughout young people’s lives, there are many events and factors that can affect their life course
A more comprehensive view of the multi-faceted elements and unique challenges that contribute to the health and well-being of emerging adults, including education, employment, lifestyle, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), well-being, social support, life events, carer responsibilities, and use of social media technology is needed
A longitudinal cohort study with a comprehensive set of measures would facilitate greater understanding of the multi-faceted elements and unique challenges that contribute to the health and well-being of emerging adults
Summary
Throughout young people’s lives, there are many events and factors that can affect their life course. Demographic norms change considerably during emerging adulthood, especially in terms of residential status and school attendance In their late teens, most people live with one or more parents and attend school; whereas most people in their thirties work full-time, live independently, and cohabitate with a romantic partner. The defining features of this transitional period include identity exploration, instability, future possibilities, self-focus, and feeling in-between adolescence and adulthood, all of which are thought to affect quality of life, health, and well-being. Methods: This is a pilot longitudinal cohort study of Australian university graduates It will involve collecting information via online surveys (baseline and 12-month follow-up) and data linkage with health records. Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618001364268; https://tinyurl.com/teec8wh International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/16108
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