Classic lifespan developmental theory describes emerging adulthood and the transition to adulthood as important periods for thinking about one’s future life trajectory. Today, youth are facing far-reaching changes to daily life due to COVID-19. This may have negative effects on their future outlook, and the extent of such effects may be related to personality. This study examined emerging adults’ (N = 195, M_age = 20.58, SD = 3.98) multidimensional personality profiles in relation to the extent that they hold a positive outlook on their future at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quantitative and brief narrative measures of future outlook were collected. Hierarchical cluster analysis and Latent Profile Analysis revealed two clear personality profiles, labeled Reflectors (n = 106) and Forgers (n = 89). Forgers demonstrated robust personality characteristics indicative of psychologically ‘pushing forward’ through pandemic-related challenges. Reflectors demonstrated more pandemic reactivity including higher stress but also more psychological integration of the pandemic experience into their sense of self. In terms of future outlook, Forgers reported a positive and expansive outlook on the future across multiple measures. In contrast, Reflectors held more negative, restricted views of what future life might hold. Results are discussed in terms of the role of multi-level personality in dictating emerging adults’ future perspectives in the wake of life challenges. Ideas are presented about how to best support young people as they transition into the future, into adulthood, while grappling with the challenges of the pandemic.

经典的寿命发展理论将成年期和成年期的过渡描述为思考一个人未来生活轨迹的重要时期。今天，由于 COVID-19，年轻人的日常生活正面临着深远的变化。这可能会对他们的未来前景产生负面影响，而这种影响的程度可能与性格有关。这项研究检查了新兴成年人（N  = 195，M_年龄 = 20.58，SD = 3.98) 多维人格概况，与他们在 COVID-19 大流行开始时对未来持积极态度的程度有关。收集了对未来前景的定量和简要叙述措施。层次聚类分析和潜在概况分析揭示了两个清晰的人格概况，标记为反射者（n  = 106）和伪造者（n = 89)。伪造者表现出强大的人格特征，表明心理上通过与流行病相关的挑战“向前推进”。反射者表现出更多的流行病反应，包括更高的压力，但也将流行病经历更多的心理整合到他们的自我意识中。在未来展望方面，Forgers 通过多项措施报告了对未来的积极和广阔的展望。相比之下，反射者对未来生活可能持有的看法更为消极、受限。在生活挑战之后，根据多层次人格在决定新兴成年人未来观点中的作用来讨论结果。提出了有关如何最好地支持年轻人过渡到未来，进入成年期，同时应对大流行挑战的想法。