In the present study, we investigated the ways in which the ideographic goal descriptions and goal appraisals of European American high school seniors reflect potentials for intentional self-development during emerging adulthood (EA), a lifespan phase characterized by increasing levels of freedom and decreasing age-graded, socially sanctioned developmental norms. Additionally, we investigated whether

This study examines the longitudinal effects of older adults’ subjective life expectancy (SLE) on spousal support and strain toward their spouse. Data of 2080 older couples (N = 4160) from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS, 2006–2014) were assessed. Using dyadic growth curve modeling, the effects of older adults’ chronological age and SLE on spousal support exchanges were examined. Spousal support

This study develops and tests a model of the predictors of financial preparedness for retirement using retirement planning knowledge and attitude as mediators. The study also compares the model across groups that choose to opt out or stay after being automatically enrolled in the private pension system. Structural equation modeling methodology is used to test the relationships between constructs using

The present study examines the stress and coping process among a sample of emerging adults (ages 18–30) recruited though TurkPrime who completed at least some post-secondary education. Sources of stress and four positive personal coping resources, mindfulness, self-compassion, resilience, and spirituality, served as predictors, with all showing significant zero-order correlations with outcomes of satisfaction

Childhood maltreatment is associated with mental health problems across the life course and depression and social anxiety are two of the more common problems. Given the interpersonal nature of childhood maltreatment, adult romantic relationships have also been a keen interest. It has been suggested that the interpersonal relationships may mediate the relationship between maltreatment and adult mental

Previous research has shown that recalling positive influences in one’s life story correlates with generative concern. Given findings that not everyone benefits from generative efforts uniformly, however, the present study tested if extraversion moderates this relation. In total, 147 older German adults (59 through 83 years) recalled positive influences in their lives in an interview session and provided

Although the concurrent link between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and both physical and mental health is established, little is known about the mechanisms that explain it. We investigated the relationship between ACEs and well-being and the mediating roles of coping, executive function (EF), and cognitive failure in a non-clinical sample of college students. Participants (N = 194) completed

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on families is currently unknown. Parents and children have experienced a variety of changes as public health interventions have been implemented to slow the spread of the virus. The current exploratory qualitative study recruited parents (n = 365) in early (ages 20–34), middle (ages 35–64), and late (ages 65 and older) adulthood to understand how the early weeks

Highly satisfying social relationships make us happy and healthy—they fill us with joy and a sense of meaning and purpose. But do all the relationships in our lives contribute equally to our well-being and do some people benefit more from certain relationships? The current study examined associations between the satisfaction of specific relationships within a family (i.e., with parents, siblings) and

A lack of emotional support from parents during childhood has been found to predict both physical and mental health problems (i.e., chronic health conditions, depression) during middle and older adulthood. Less research has examined the factors that may either buffer or amplify this association. Using the Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) national sample (N = 7,108; age = 20–75 years)

Motivational precursors to maintaining an active lifestyle across the lifespan are not well understood. Intrinsic experience and values can motivate activity engagement, but age-related change in resources and temporal horizons may moderate these effects. Flow (Csikszentmihalyi et al., 2005) is the phenomenological experience of complete absorption in an activity, which can engender engagement in the

This study aimed to explore the effects of perceived parenting styles (e.g., mother and father involvement, mother and father strict control) on the happiness of college students. The study also investigated the mediating roles of emotional self-efficacy and forgiveness (i.e., forgiveness of self, others, and situations) in this relationship. The form consisting of 123 survey items was voluntarily

This paper empirically explores baseline levels of mental complexity among military graduate students as defined by constructive-developmental theory, reports changes in baseline scores during their year-long enrollment in a professional graduate degree program, and, through the use of quasi-experimental design and comparison groups, examines the efficacy of developmental interventions. We used the

Several empirical studies have linked parenting styles with different mental health consequences in samples from Western nations, with some studies also in East Asian countries. However, few studies have analyzed such associations specifically in South Asian countries such as Pakistan. Moreover, few studies have examined the potential interactive role of parental rearing practices by both parents in

This paper tested why people differ with regard to whether they believe it is possible to find enduring love. Variations were assumed to be due to differences in people’s experiences. Those who experienced dysfunction in their family of origin and who did not have positive relationships role-modelled to them were expected to be less likely to have positive lay beliefs about romantic relationships.

Although the concurrent link between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and both physical and mental health is established, little is known about the mechanisms that explain it. We investigated the relationship between ACEs and well-being and the mediating roles of coping, executive function (EF), and cognitive failure in a non-clinical sample of college students. Participants (N = 194) completed

This study sought to replicate research that explores the interconnection between self-esteem and depression throughout young and middle adulthood, and examine the transmission of self-esteem and depression between parent and adult child. Four waves of dyadic data (n = 203 parent–child dyads) from the Longitudinal Study of Generations were used. Cross-lagged panel modeling was used to examine the link

The goal of the current study was to examine latent profiles of young adults based on neighborhood risk, social cohesion, and community self-efficacy, and to examine whether these profiles predicted prosocial behaviors (i.e., actions intended to benefit others) toward both friends and strangers. Participants were 197 emerging adults (M age = 20.94 years; range = 18–25 years; 76.5% women; 36.5% White;

The original version of the article has contained some errors in text and tables.

Contemporary models of psychosocial development include domains of development for interpersonal relations and cognitive complexity. Integrating these two domains to conceptualize interpersonal complexity is a useful construct for research purposes. Furthermore, the analysis of interpersonal complexity can benefit from approaching it from both rational and non-rational dimensions. The former can be

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

Helicopter parenting, a form of overcontrol defined by intense levels of monitoring and supervision, has been linked to an increase in risky behaviors in emerging adults. However, the context may modify how helicopter parenting operates on adjustment in this population. The current study sought to better understand the contextualizing role of family income on the relations between helicopter parenting

How do residents of small towns that depend on oil and gas extraction or processing industries withstand economic boom and bust cycles? To answer this question, this article reports on a narrative analysis of residents’ life stories gathered from 37 adults of a small town on the Canadian prairies dependent on the oil and gas industry, employing the theories of narrative inquiry and narrative identity

In a culture where media increasingly permeate everyday life experiences, this study explores where emerging adult interviewees acquire gender norm information and how this information is applied to future gender norm expectations. Qualitative research has considered emerging adults’ future life expectations; however, it has not concurrently explored everyday life gender norm experiences, media gender

Relative to younger adults, older adults have demonstrated higher emotional well-being in the face of the threats of COVID-19 (e.g., Bruine de Bruin in J Gerontol https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbaa074, 2020) and other events (Bonanno and Diminich in J Child Psychol Psychiatry 54:378–401, 2013). Thus, we predicted that levels of well-being would show minimal change in the first 4 months of COVID-19

The attachment styles formed early in life within the family context have been shown to be related to those formed in future relationships, notably the romantic relationships experienced as adults. One way of managing or altering negative behaviors or instinctive reactions in response to situations that evoke pain or stress is to increase mindfulness. As mindfulness is something that can be developed

Graduating from higher education is characterized by a complex set of changes, including the transition into employment as well as residential changes and identity shifts. We explored how wellbeing and depressive symptoms are associated with retrospective appraisals of developmental crisis in the year after leaving university, and the impact of living with parents following graduation. Data were collected

To investigate the influence of proactive personality on the process and difficulties of college students’ career decision-making, a questionnaire survey was conducted with 1540 college students. The results showed that (1) proactive personality significantly and negatively predicts college students’ career decision-making difficulties; (2) perceived social support moderates the relationship between

It is generally assumed that wise people know how to manage hardship and crises in life. If true, wisdom should buffer against stress among college students. Conversely, stress might adversely affect students’ wisdom by causing them to focus more on their own needs rather than other people’s perspectives, feelings, and needs. We used a short-term longitudinal survey of 216 college students to examine

Indian Americans are one of the fastest growing ethnic minority groups in the USA, yet little is known about how their emerging adult population engage in identity exploration and define self in the context of dual influences from a strong familial orientation and a strongly individualistic American social environment. Using a mixed-methods approach, the present study investigated bicultural identity—Indian

The notion that postnatal adjustment requires women’s selflessness is widely accepted but understudied. This study explored the utility of a combined (selflessness × differentiation of self) model in explaining postnatal adjustment. One hundred and seventy-eight women completed the following questionnaires: Differentiation of Self, The Selflessness Scale, The Selfishness Subscale of the Omnibus Self-Test

Considerable research has been performed on the association between sibling composition and various characteristics, including personality, intelligence, and social attitudes. These studies suggest that birth order among siblings could weakly but significantly affect the development of personality traits and intelligence. However, few studies on the association between sibling composition and moral

Although many studies exist that analyze and reveal the relationship between early family life experiences and psychosocial functioning in adulthood, the research exploring complex models of relationships between different early life variables and adults’ psychosocial functioning are still lacking. This study aims to examine a complex mediation model based on Bowen family system theory and explore

As the editor for the Journal of Adult Development, I feel that I should not ignore the unprecedented changes and challenges we are experiencing in the United States and all over the world. It seems a bit premature to sort out all the implications and effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has on adult development. On the other hand, we are called upon as scholars, researchers, and teachers to begin reflecting

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of early maladaptive schemas on the relationship between attachment and mental health symptoms of university students. The study was conducted with 413 students studying in two different universities in Turkey. Data were collected using a Descriptive Information Form, Brief Symptom Inventory, Young Schema Questionnaire and Inventory of Parent

Previous research indicates the importance of having high levels of attachment with parents in order to realise positive outcomes of psychological and subjective well-being in later-life. Additionally, sibling attachment in childhood may impact future psychological and subjective well-being directly and independently from parental influences. To our knowledge, there is no existing study that examines

This study examined the effects of psychological (life satisfaction, depression, social support) and familial factors (the size of family, family structure, education levels of parents) on first-year university students’ positive orientation. Positive orientation is an important element of life balance and expresses the positivity and attitudes of individuals towards life and themselves. A multiple

Research has demonstrated that theory of mind (ToM), that is the ability to understand other’s thoughts and feelings, declines with age. However, less is known about older people’s perceptions about their own ability to “read” the mind of others. In the current study, we provide initial evidence on this issue by: (a) examining age-related differences in ToM personal beliefs; (b) analyzing the relation

We examined the associations among parent–child relationships, two types of parenting practices (helicopter parenting and autonomy support), and college students’ perceived academic outcomes. Participants were from a private university in Upstate New York. Structural equation modeling was utilized to examine the above associations. Results showed that mothers’ autonomy support was positively associated

Many parents continue to parent their emerging-adult children, but what becomes developmentally appropriate for such children differs from that of earlier ages. In addition, culture and context shape parenting and in turn child outcomes. Among an adolescent sample, higher-SES youth engage in higher levels of risk behaviors to manage the pressures they face from trying to live up to their parents’ high

As a developmental turning point, emerging adulthood has been a recent focus for researchers investigating both resilience and psychopathology. The aim of this study was to examine the roles of negative experiences and the nature of the relationship with parents and siblings in the resilience of college students as emerging adults. The study group included Turkish college students as emerging adults

This correlational study of two independent samples (260 college students and 173 Mechanical Turk workers aged 21–74) examined whether and how mindfulness (broadly construed as a manifold of self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-transcendence), influences wisdom about the self (Adult Self-Transcendence Inventory and Self-Assessed Wisdom Scale) and wisdom about the (social) world (Three-Dimensional

While literature findings regarding the psychosocial and behavioral aspects of tattooing are evident, findings regarding its personality aspects are mixed. The present study aimed to examine the effect of maternal separation conflict that might affect the association between physical appearance anxiety, gender, and heavy tattooing. This cross-sectional study included 606 adults (395 having at least

This study used the Actor–Partner Interdependence Model to examine the impact of adult attachment on marital and parental satisfaction among a sample of 165 heterosexual couples who were at the empty-nest stage of the family life cycle. In the hypothesized model, attachment dimensions (i.e., secure, anxious/ambivalent, avoidant) served as independent variables to predict each partner’s marital and

Despite the burgeoning interest in the relationships between parental emotion socialization practices, emotion regulation (ER), and anxiety in youth, there is considerably less research focusing on the ways in which parental emotion socialization in childhood is associated with these variables in adulthood. A sample of 202 university students completed an online survey, which aimed to examine the relationships

Reminiscence, a specific form of autobiographical memory that aids in the development of a sense of self, serves several functions. The current study extends the literature on reminiscence (between-group differences in reminiscence functions) by examining the heterogeneity of reminiscence to identify patterns of reminiscence using person-centered statistics. The study utilized data collected by Webster

We examined the psychological adjustment of 318 adults adopted at birth and 131 adults not adopted at birth, in the domains of personality, aggression, delinquency, symptoms of psychological disorders, and cognitive abilities (while controlling for age, sibship size, and recruitment method). Adoptees and non-adoptees differed in all domains studied, but the differences were small overall, and most

This study explored trajectories of marital adjustment, including overall, affection, satisfaction, cohesion and consensus, in 197 middle-aged Israeli spouses who had been married for an average of 34 years. As military conscription in Israel is mandatory, all men in this study are military veterans. The main aims of the study were to explore the trajectories of marital adjustment over time and to

This study examined discrepancies in aging parents’ and middle-aged children’s evaluations of aging parents’ problems and how these discrepancies were associated with relationship characteristics. Using data from the Family Exchanges Study (dyad N = 331), discrepancies in the parents’ disabilities and life problems reported by parents and their offspring were examined. Children reported a greater number

Young adults in more developed countries can expect to celebrate their 85th, 90th and even their 100th birthdays. Although time horizons have a major influence on behavior and adult development, little is currently known about how young people feel about the prospect of living such long lives. We therefore explored young adults’ preferred life expectancy (how long one wants to live) based on questionnaire

Although emerging adults are engaged in heightened levels of meaning-making (Barry and Abo-Zena (eds) in Emerging adults’ religiousness and spirituality: meaning-making in an age of transition. Oxford University Press, New York, 2014), research has focused on either religiousness or spirituality (R/S) in each study. While R/S individually have been associated with emerging adults’ psychological adjustment

Drawing from attachment and emotion theories, we tested a model whereby emerging adults’ anxious and avoidant attachment would have specific associations with dysregulation and suppression of sadness and anger and would be unique correlates of emotional and behavioral problems. Participants were 383 (47% men) students between 16 and 23 years (M = 19.6, SD = 1.58) who completed a questionnaire to assess

Erikson described the late life developmental task as a complex and dynamic dialectic between ego-integrity and despair with substantial impact on older adults’ functioning. Limited knowledge is, however, available on how older adults cope with this task within the existentially challenging context of nursing homes. A person-oriented perspective within a longitudinal approach is implemented to test

Older adults often contemplate the kind of legacy they would like to leave for subsequent generations. Research provides some evidence for relationships between expressions of intended legacies and generativity (caring for the next generation), and how generativity is related to well-being. The current study aims to expand the literature concerning the role of generativity and its counterpart, stagnation

This study examines the ways in which emerging adults in the United States narratively constructed identities in relation to their conceptions of the good life. What does it mean to be a good person? Am I living a good life? How can I lead a better life? All of these variations of the Who-am-I question––in relation to Who-I-should-be and Who-I-want-to-be––were investigated in this qualitative study

Little research has focused on the positive adjustment of emerging adult adoptees (Palacios and Brodzinsky in Int J Behav Dev 34:270–284, 2010). Given the developmental context of emerging adulthood (Arnett in Am Psychol 55:469–482, 2000), it is important to select an indicator of adjustment that reflects the associated ambiguity. The present study aims to provide empirical support for the construct

Following recent literature, which stresses the importance of broadening the conceptualization of mental functioning in youth, this paper investigated the relations between indicators of attachment styles, internalizing symptoms, and separation anxiety in 379 non-referred Italian university students, as captured by the relationship questionnaire, the experiences in close relationships-revised, the

Psychological development continues throughout adulthood, with some individuals reaching advanced levels of adult psychological development. A focus of the present study was to investigate the Buddhist construct of nonattachment in relation to three elements of advanced psychological development: wisdom, self-actualisation and self-transcendence. The possibility that nonattachment mediates the relationship

The study aims to broaden the knowledge of the relationship between personality and generativity. The study tests personality predictors of generativity on the basis of longitudinal data and includes not only personality traits but also self-concept variables while examining five of the seven components of generativity within the McAdams and de St. Aubin model. The sample consists of 150 participants

Emerging adults have the highest rates of depression compared to other age groups, yet effective, developmentally appropriate interventions are scarce. A growing body of research suggests an important link exists between self-concepts and depression. To contribute to the dialogue regarding emerging adult depression, theory, and potential points of intervention, a systematic research synthesis (SRS)