ABSTRACT

Emerging adults (EAs; 18 to 29 year olds) experience high rates of substance use and disordered use. Few studies examine whether developmental theories account for elevated use among EAs across the continuum of substance use. This study surveyed emerging adults in residential treatment, focusing on their impressions of the Emerging Adulthood Theory (EAT) and whether it applied to their substance use. EAs (n = 21) receiving residential treatment discussed their developmental trajectories and substance use related to the EAT dimensions: identity exploration, instability, self-focus, feeling in between adolescence and adulthood, and optimism about the future. Researchers completed semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and engaged in rigorous qualitative coding. Most participants identified with the EAT dimensions. Salient themes included stunted identity development from use, self-medication, and how responsibilities and instability influenced development. Further research should explore whether integrating discussions of EAT into substance use treatment would enhance outcomes, and which treatments promote recovery identities.

摘要

新兴成年人（EA； 18到29岁）经历了很高的吸毒率和无序使用率。很少有研究检查发展理论是否解释了整个物质使用过程中EA的使用增加。这项研究对接受住院治疗的新兴成年人进行了调查，重点关注他们对“新兴成年理论”（EAT）的印象以及它是否适用于他们的药物滥用。接受住院治疗的EA（n = 21）讨论了其与EAT维度相关的发展轨迹和物质使用：身份探索，不稳定，自我专注，青春期和成年之间的感觉以及对未来的乐观态度。研究人员完成了半结构化访谈，焦点小组讨论，并进行了严格的定性编码。大多数参与者都认同EAT维度。突出的主题包括：由于使用，自我服药而导致的身份发展受阻，以及责任和不稳定性如何影响发展。进一步的研究应探讨将EAT的讨论纳入药物使用治疗是否可以提高疗效，以及哪种治疗可以促进恢复身份。