Criteria For Adulthood Research Articles

Adulthood Meaning for Spanish Emerging Adults: A Thematic Analysis

Previous research on the meaning of adulthood among youth has focused on the move from traditional markers towards individualistic criteria for adulthood. We interview 30 young adults in Spain to investigate how they see adulthood. From our thematic analysis, we extract three major themes (and 16 subthemes): socio-demographic markers (residential independence, age, occupation, family), societal expectations (independence, duties, on your own, nontriviality, other-orientation), and personal resources (autonomy, purpose, thoughtfulness, resilience, realism, responsibility, relational maturity). Our results show that some emerging adults still consider traditional markers of adulthood. A wide range of sub-themes relate to societal expectations, which young people refer to somewhat negatively. In a context in which young people mostly see adulthood with an individualistic lens, two sub-themes emerge which make references to others –being other-oriented and able to establish mature relationships; even if quantitatively these were not as frequent as other sub-themes, we find these deserve further attention.

Comparison of Adulthood Criteria Endorsed by Emerging Adults and Their Parents in Greece: A Mixed-Method Study

Although there is extensive research on the adulthood criteria endorsed by emerging adults, there is very limited evidence on the comparison between emerging adults and their parents regarding this issue. Moreover, in these comparison studies, only quantitative methodology was used. Therefore, the present study uses a mixed-method design to investigate similarities and differences in the prevalence of the endorsed adulthood criteria between emerging adults and their parents, between male and female emerging adults, and between fathers and mothers. Participants were 251 emerging adult students, aged 18.0 to 25.9 (M = 19.9; 50.2% females), and 341 parents of these emerging adults, aged 33.6 to 61.9 (M = 50.4; 58.4% mothers). They completed the Markers of Adulthood Scale and named the three criteria that they considered most important for a person to be considered an adult. An inductive-deductive coding scheme was used. The analyses exhibited a high consensus between emerging adults and their parents in the endorsement of adulthood criteria. Only criteria related to Independence and to the Self were reported more frequently by emerging adults than their parents. A strong agreement between genders in both age groups was also found. The contribution of this study is twofold. First, it supports the idea that in Greece adulthood is a construct that is largely shared by emerging adults and their parents. Second, it illustrates how a mixed-method design can complement quantitative studies and extend their findings.

What Does It Mean to be an Adult? Adulthood Markers in the Perspective of Emerging Adults

Debate on the markers of adulthood reflects social and cultural changes shaping the socially constructed definitions of transition to the next life stages. These processes are particularly interesting in societies facing rapid changes in a relatively short period. The presented article explores definitions of adulthood of Polish emerging adults and relates dominating concepts to the classic Big Five. The study is based on a random, all-country sample of young adults (18–29 years old, n = 303). The most frequently described criteria of adulthood are related to responsibility and independence (decisive, financial, and residential). Three of five classic markers – finishing school, getting married, and having a child – have lessened in significance. Further analysis reveals that the fourth classic marker – independent housing – does not play a key role, albeit independence is significantly associated with financial autonomy.

Trajectories of life satisfaction during one-year period among university students: Relations with measures of achievement strategies and perception of criteria for adulthood

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine how university students’ achievement strategies in an academic context and perceptions of criteria for adulthood relate to life satisfaction trajectories across one year. Methods: A convenience sample of 143 young adults 18-28 years (mean age: 20.9±2.7 years; 109 females and 34 males) attending the University of Turin in northwest Italy completed questionnaires at three points with a six-month interval between each measurement. Latent Growth Curve Modelling and Latent Class Growth Analysis were used to assess longitudinal changes in life satisfaction and the related heterogeneity within the current sample. Results: Three trajectories of life satisfaction emerged: high stable (37%), moderate decreasing (57%), and low stable (6%). At every time point high success expectations were related to a high stable life satisfaction trajectory. In turn, those adopting achievement avoidance strategies were more likely to have low-stable or moderately decreasing life satisfaction trajectories. The perception of the criteria deemed important to be defined as adults did not change across time points or across life satisfaction trajectories’ groups. Conclusion: These findings suggest that self-reported measures of achievement strategies among university students relate longitudinally to life satisfaction levels. Positive and optimistic dimensions of personal striving may be protective factors against the risk of decrease of life satisfaction among university students.

PENYAMAAN BATAS USIA PERKAWINAN PRIA DAN WANITA PERSPEKTIF MAQASID AL-`USRAH (ANALISIS PUTUSAN MAHKAMAH KONSTITUSI NOMOR 22/PUU-XV/2017)

Marital Age Arrangement as ruled by UU Perkawinan and KHI is part of open legal policy
 category and has legal validity according to regulation of Constitutional Court (Mahkamah
 Konsitusi). Nevertheless, legal policy must be positioned unexceeding authority, unbreaking
 morality and rationality of law, not to impact intolerable injustices, and not clearly
 contradicting Indonesian Constitution (UUD) 1945. Hence, relating to questioning phrases in
 article 7 verse 1 “in 16 years old” as part of Marital Law N. 1/1974. The Constitutional Court on
 its court decision explains that that provision is has not binding legal force. This decision has
 implicated obligation of equalizating minimum age of marriage (both male and female). Then,
 what is maqasid al-usrah thought on this decision? To answer that question, this research will
 explain criteria of adulthood from Islamic Law perspective and maqasid al-usrah thought on
 equalizating minimum age of marrige, both male or female. Islamic Law, throught its concept
 of baligh and `aqil, has opinion that measure of adulthood (both male and female) is same, where
 they have reached 15 years of age. Biologically, male is considered adult when he released
 sperm firstly. And female is considered adult when she menstruasting for the first time, or her
 sense of smell is more sensitive, or changing vocal sound, or growing some hair around her
 vagina and on armpits. Equalizating marital age between man and woman is justified based on
 maqasid al-usrah and Islamically legal as long as its purpose is implementing the marital goals

Examining Criteria for Adulthood Among Young People in Sabah (East Malaysia)

This study aims to identify perceived adult status and to explore the criteria for adulthood of young people in Sabah (East Malaysia). The differences in such criteria based on gender and student status are also examined. Data collected from 208 respondents were analyzed via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The empirical results of CFA revealed six criteria for adulthood: family capacities, norm compliance, interdependence, biological transitions, role transitions, and chronological transitions. However, the independence factor was discarded for further analysis because of having weak item loadings. In addition, the ANOVA test showed that women have higher interdependency and higher family capacities than men. Traditionally, women are more “other-oriented”—frequently thinking about the perspectives and needs of others—and are acknowledged as the main caregivers for children. Students are found to emphasize role transitions and biological transitions in determining their adulthood more than nonstudents. The present findings enable policymakers to obtain current emerging adults’ views regarding the differences in criteria for adulthood based on gender and student status. Present findings permit a better understanding of the value of emerging adults’ mental health as they encounter social, emotional, psychological, and physical challenges. This awareness would facilitate the provision of appropriate developmental programs for emerging adults to assist them in achieving adulthood. Directions for future research are also provided.

Criteria for adulthood, resilience, and self-esteem among emerging adults in Hong Kong: A path analysis approach

• Little is known about the criteria for adulthood on psychological well-being among emerging adults. • Resilience mediated the effects of family capacity and relational maturity on self-esteem. • Role transformation was found to have a negative direct effect on self-esteem. • Characteristics of emerging adulthood should be added to related intervention and education programs. Emerging adulthood refers to a developmental life stage between adolescence and adulthood. The period of emerging adulthood varies in pattern in different cultures and countries. For emerging adults, individual perceptions about entering into adulthood undergo tremendous changes. Furthermore, the impact of criteria for adulthood on psychological well-being in emerging adults is under-researched. Using a survey of 1,908 Hong Kong emerging adults aged 18–29 years, an integrated path model for self-esteem with resilience was established (TLI = 0.986; NFI = 0.991; CFI = 0.996; RMSEA = 0.021; SRMR = 0.018). The results show that resilience mediated the effects of family capacity (Beta FC-resilience–SE = 0.03 , p < .05, BC bootstrap 95% CI = 0.00 to 0.08) and relational maturity (Beta RM-resilience –SE = 0.12 , p < .001, BC bootstrap 95% CI = 0.08 to 0.15) on self-esteem. Role transformation was found to have a negative direct effect on self-esteem (Beta RT-resilience = −0.10, p < .001, BC bootstrap 95% CI = −0.15 to −0.05). However, norm compliance, biological transition, and legal transition were not associated with self-esteem or resilience among the sampled emerging adults. In addition, resilience mediated the relationship between gender, educational attainment, and parental educational level and self-esteem. Policymakers and social workers in Hong Kong should pay attention to criteria for adulthood among emerging adults, and tailor-made interventions and educational programs should be launched for parents and school teachers. For instance, training in knowledge of late adolescence and the characteristics of emerging adults should be implemented. Programs to enhance such positive traits as resilience and self-esteem among emerging adults in Hong Kong should be provided.

Интерпретации взросления и формирование образовательных траекторий

Большая доля исследований молодежи посвящена тому, как молодежь достигает (или не достигает) взрослости. Критерием взрослости могут выступать различные параметры, например, в исследованиях жизненного курса образцом «взросления» (transition to adulthood) стал паттерн, заданный поколением «бэби-бумеров», сформировавшийся в 1950-1960-е годы, когда уже к 25 годам около половины юношей поколения успевали в строгом порядке получить образование, найти стабильную работу, создать семью и завести детей. Сегодня же все больше говорят о дестандартизации взросления, о том, что многие из этих принятых как стандартные критериев взросления теряют актуальность по мере того, как растет число прекариальных профессий, образование из жизненного этапа становится постоянной деятельностью, а от создания семьи и рождения детей все чаще и вовсе отказываются. Однако взросление не одинаково для всей молодежи, исследователи говорят о «быстром треке» взросления, характерном для молодежи рабочего класса, и об «отложенном взрослении», характерном для молодежи среднего и выше среднего класса, продлевающей время пребывания в системе образования. На фоне этих тенденций приобретает актуальность изучение того, как современная молодежь представляет взросление и как молодые люди и девушки к нему стремятся. В данной работе мы описываем, какие интерпретации взросления конструирует молодежь, какие символические различения в них присутствуют и как различаются интерпретации взросления в зависимости от образовательного трека (СПО или вуз) и от уровня образования родителей. Благодарность. В работе использованы результаты проекта «Траектории в образовании и профессии», выполненного в рамках Программы фундаментальных исследований НИУ ВШЭ в 2019 г.

The Examination of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living and Perceived Adulthood in Emerging Adults.

Emerging adults differ in terms of the extent to which they perceive themselves as adults. We examined how the ability to perform activities related to independent living (i.e., instrumental activities of daily living [IADLs]) was associated with perceived adulthood. Data were collected from 236 emerging adults in college. Results suggested that IADL scores were positively related to perceived adulthood and achieved criteria of adulthood even after controlling for race, year in school, age, and sex. Results are discussed in terms of the development and importance of IADLs during emerging adulthood.

Perception of Adulthood and Psychological Adjustment in Emerging Adults

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.

PENYAMAAN BATAS USIA PERKAWINAN PRIA DAN WANITA PERSPEKTIF MAQASID AL-USRAH (ANALISIS PUTUSAN MAHKAMAH KONSTITUSI NOMOR 22/PUU-XV/2017)

Marital Age Arrangement as ruled by UU Perkawinan and KHI is part of open legal policy category and has legal validity according to regulation of Constitutional Court (Mahkamah Konsitusi). Nevertheless, legal policy must be positioned unexceeding authority, unbreaking morality and rationality of law, not to impact intolerable injustices, and not clearly contradicting Indonesian Constitution (UUD) 1945. Hence, relating to questioning phrases in article 7 verse 1 “in 16 years old” as part of Marital Law N. 1/1974. The Constitutional Court on its court decision explains that that provision is has not binding legal force. This decision has implicated obligation of equalizating minimum age of marriage (both male and female). Then, what is maqasid al-usrah thought on this decision? To answer that question, this research will explain criteria of adulthood from Islamic Law perspective and maqasid al-usrah thought on equalizating minimum age of marrige, both male or female. Islamic Law, throught its concept of baligh and `aqil, has opinion that measure of adulthood (both male and female) is same, where they have reached 15 years of age. Biologically, male is considered adult when he released sperm firstly. And female is considered adult when she menstruasting for the first time, or her sense of smell is more sensitive, or changing vocal sound, or growing some hair around her vagina and on armpits. Equalizating marital age between man and woman is justified based on maqasid al-usrah and Islamically legal as long as its purpose is implementing the marital goals.

Dimensions of Emerging Adulthood, Criteria for Adulthood, and Identity Development in Greek Studying Youth: A Person-Centered Approach

Little research has been conducted on emerging adulthood in Greece, although sociodemographic specificities and constraints due to financial crisis are expected to reinforce prolonged transition to adulthood in this Southern European country. Using a person-centered approach, the current study aimed to examine dimensions of emerging adulthood, criteria for adulthood, and identity development among studying youth in association with personal and structural variables (i.e., gender, age, living arrangement, work experience, steady romantic relationship status, and financial adversity). Participants were 814 university students ( Mage = 19.9 years). Latent profile analysis yielded five profiles: anxious explorers in-between (29.90%), immature explorers (29.58%), emerging adults (18.30%), adult committers (12.58%), and blocked in transition (9.64%). Significant between-profile differentiation was found regarding all variables except from age and work experience. The results support the existence of emerging adulthood in Greece and indicate diverse paths to adulthood within the rather homogeneous population of studying youth in this country.

Infantilism

The aim of this article is to define and operationalize the construct of infantilism.The methods of theoretical research involve analysis and synthesis. Age and content criteria are analyzed for childhood and adulthood. Infantile traits in an adult are described.Results. The characteristics of adult infantilism in the modern world are defined, taking into account increasing information flows and socio-economic changes. The concept of “infantilism” and its main features are defined as an organization of the personality that includes traits and behavioral models that are typical of one's earlier age periods and not appropriate to the person's actual age, which is most articulately manifested in emotional and volitional immaturity of an individual.Scientific novelty. The main psychological characteristics of adulthood are described, including reflection, the desire to work and have a vocation, vocational self-determination, work skills, the desire for self-realization, and emotional and volitional maturity. Objective characteristics of adulthood are: transition to economic and territorial independence of the parental family, and development of new social roles, such as that of worker, spouse, and parent. Two possible operationalizations of the concept are identified: objective (existence/absence in a person’s life of objective criteria of adulthood) and subjective (self-report on the subjective feeling of existence/absence of the psychological characteristics of adulthood).The practical significance of the work consists in formulation of an operationalization of “infantilism,” which at the moment has so many interpretations. Such operationalization is necessary for further analysis and research.

“I Know I’m an Adult When…I Can Care for Myself and Others”

Growing populations of emerging adults are demographically diverse in terms of race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and immigration history in the United States and many attend community colleges. Yet, we still do not fully understand the developmental experiences of emerging adults in community colleges which mostly serve low-income, ethnically diverse immigrant-origin commuter populations. This descriptive mixed-method study examined the ways in which ( N = 645) 18- to 25-year-old students at three community college campuses in the Northeast United States perceive adulthood and identify criteria for adulthood. Participants responded to measures of subjective sense of adulthood and responsibilities for family, community, and work, as well as provided an open-ended response to criteria for adulthood. Subjective sense of adulthood significantly increased with age. Participants listed responsibilities for themselves and others, independence, and role transitions as the three most important criteria characteristic of adulthood. Findings revealed that as community college students emerge into adulthood, they engage in multiple social responsibilities as they navigate community college. Furthermore, engaging with community responsibilities was associated with higher levels of subjective sense of adulthood. These data point to the possible existence of a sixth pillar of emerging adulthood, caring for others. Community colleges need to take into account the various social responsibilities present in students’ lives, not only as a competing responsibility on the road to degree attainment but as a resource to be drawn upon. We must find ways for these youth to contribute to both the institutional and economic structures that they find themselves embedded within.

Association Between Self-Criticism and Dependency with the Individual Endorsement of Criteria for Adulthood Among Emerging Adult University Students

This study explored the association of self-critic and dependent personality traits with the individual endorsement of criteria for adulthood among 622 Italian emerging adult university students (M age = 21.7; age ranged from 18 to 28; 76.2 % women). Moreover, we did so controlling for participants’ relationship status (single or in a relationship), working condition (full-time student or working student), and living arrangements (living at parents’ house or living away from parents’ house). Results showed that higher dependency was associated with higher endorsement of criteria for adulthood related to family values, obligations to others, and compliance with societal norms. Conversely, higher self-criticism was associated with lower endorsement of criteria related to societal norms. Results confirm the negative interpersonal attitude of self-critical individuals and suggest that dependency may be related to the acquisition of other-related attitudes among emerging adults.

North/South Differences Among Italian Emerging Adults Regarding Criteria Deemed Important for Adulthood and Life Satisfaction.

The main goal of this study was to compare Northern and Southern Italian emerging adult university students, regarding the importance attributed to criteria for adulthood and the levels of life and education satisfaction. Self-report questionnaires were filled by 475 Northern and Southern Italian University students (Age M = 22.91, 76% females, n = 359). Multivariate analysis of variance revealed that Southern emerging adults were more likely to place importance on family capacities, norm compliance, interdependence and role transitions as criteria for achieving adulthood than Northern emerging adults. Regarding gender differences, females were more likely to believe in the importance of norm compliance than males, while males were more likely to espouse the importance of legal transitions. Finally, emerging adults from the North reported higher levels of life satisfaction than their Southern counterparts. We interpreted these findings in light of socio-economical and gender socialization differences among Northern and Southern Italian emerging adults.

INFANTILISM: THEORETICAL CONSTRUCT AND OPERATIONALIZATION

The aim of the presented research is to define and operationalize theoretically the concept of infantilism and its construct. The content of theoretical construct «infantilism» is analyzed. Methods . The methods of theoretical research involve analysis and synthesis. The age and content criteria are analysed in the context of childhood and adulthood. The traits which can be interpreted as adult infantile traits are described. Results . The characteristics of adult infantilism in modern world taking into account the increasing of information flows and socio-economic changes are defined. The definition of the concept «infantilism» including its main features is given. Infantilism is defined as the personal organization including features and models of the previous age period not adequate for the real age stage with emphasis on immaturity of the emotional and volitional sphere. Scientific novelty . The main psychological characteristics of adulthood are described as the reflection, requirement to work and professional activity, existence of professional self-determination, possession of labor skills, need for selfrealization, maturity of the emotional and volitional sphere. As objective adulthood characteristics are considered the following: transition to economic and territorial independence of a parental family, and also development of new social roles, such as a worker, spouse, and parent. Two options of a possible operationalization of concept are allocated: objective (existence / absence in real human life of objective criteria of adulthood) and subjective (the self-report on subjective feeling of existence / lack of psychological characteristics of adulthood). Practical significance consists in a construct operationalization of «infantilism» which at the moment has so many interpretations. That operationalization is necessary for the further analysis and carrying out various researches.

Postsecondary Expectations of High-School Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders.

This study examined the perceptions of adulthood among 31 high school students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We had two research aims: (1) to report students' postsecondary expectations in terms of school, work, friendships and living arrangement and (2) to describe how our sample defined adulthood. To better compare our sample's criteria of adulthood to the criteria traditionally endorsed in secondary schools, we used a directed content analysis approach. Data were derived from a semi-structured interview that questioned students about friendships, activities and the transition to adulthood. The majority of students expected to attain traditional markers of adulthood after high school; however, for some the pathways to achieving these outcomes were narrowly defined and perceived as a rigid, linear process. Independence, maturity and personal responsibility were the most highly endorsed characteristics of adulthood, followed by chronological age and traditional markers. Implications for transition planning and adult services are discussed.

Youth Perspectives on the Transition to Adulthood

Emerging adults with problematic substance use face many transition challenges and risks for long-term health, mental health, and substance use problems. Yet current research on how these youth view their adulthood transition is scarce. Using qualitative data gathered from semistructured interviews with 31 emerging adults seeking substance abuse treatment, we sought to (1) explore how these youth conceptualize their adulthood transition and (2) investigate their perceived interrelationships between substance use and developmental status. Youth identified adulthood criteria as including increased independence, role transitions, interdependence, and norm compliance. Participants also described the influence of substance use on their pathway toward adulthood and included issues related to substance use and mental health as adulthood criteria. Notably, substance use was described as affecting achievement of adulthood through three main processes: interfering with completion of developmental tasks, legitimizing delays in maturation, and promoting maturation through self-reflection. The findings provide important insights for service provision.

Emerging adulthood features and criteria for adulthood: Variable- and person-centered approaches

ABSTRACTReaching adulthood is the aim of the transition to adulthood; however, emerging adults differently define both adulthood and the transitional period they are living. Variable-centered and person-centered approaches were integrated in the present paper to investigate if the criteria used to define adulthood are linked to how emerging adults perceive the transitional phase they are going through. Participants were 1513 emerging adults (53.60% female; 807 university students and 706 young workers), aged from 19 to 30 years. Participants completed self-report measures about dimensions of emerging adulthood and criteria for adulthood. Main results revealed that, according to the variable-centered approach, criteria of adulthood and dimensions of emerging adulthood are only slightly associated, while the person-centered approach revealed that people who have a composite view of adulthood are also less probably perceiving their emerging adulthood as a period characterized by a lack of possibilities. Implications and future lines of research are discussed.