Abstract
In the United States, established adulthood (ages 30–45) often represents the most intense and demanding years of adult life. During this time, most individuals settle into adult roles and responsibilities, negotiating the intersecting demands of work and family obligations. While discrete topics relevant to this period have been investigated by developmental scientists, the subjective experience of established adulthood as a whole remains largely overlooked. In the present study, we aim to provide the foundation for a more comprehensive and integrated understanding of established adulthood by interviewing participants (n = 127) aged 30–45 from across the United States about the nature of their current lived experience. In general, participants described the Experience of Established Adulthood as a time of establishing their adulthood, stability, changes in priorities, and shifting perceptions of time. They also noted a number of Responsibilities and Commitments, describing an increase in obligations, and feeling a “career and care crunch. Participants also reported experiencing Evolution, noting that they continued to grow and learn, explore their beliefs and values, and make course corrections as needed. Finally, participants described Actualization in terms of gained wisdom, self-understanding, self- confidence, and life satisfaction. Taken together, our results suggest that established adults in the USA face challenges and opportunities distinct from those faced during emerging adulthood or midlife.
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Appendix 1: Interview Questions
Appendix 1: Interview Questions
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(1)
How do you feel about our suggestion that the years 30–45 form a unique period of the lifespan? Do you agree or disagree with this suggestion? Why or why not?
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(2)
In your experience, how has this age period felt different or similar from other stages of your life?
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(3)
What does it feel like to you to be this age?
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(4)
Is there any difference between how you thought this age would look or feel and how it actually feels?
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(5)
What are some of your biggest concerns in your life right now?
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What are some of the most rewarding parts of your life right now?
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What do you feel most satisfied about in your life right now?
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Have you had any big life transitions since you turned 30? Are there any you are currently thinking about?
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Have you had any big shifts in how you view the world/belief systems while you have been an established adult?
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(10)
In our theorizing about established adulthood we propose that there is a career and care crunch that takes place between 30 and 45, where you are juggling competing demands of work, family, community, friends, parents, and if applicable, children. How does this “crunch” look in your life?
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Is there anything else that we missed that you think is important to share about established adulthood?
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Mehta, C.M., LaRiviere, K. “You Have Those Adult Responsibilities, But You’re Still Getting Your Feet on the Ground”: The Lived Experience of Established Adulthood. J Adult Dev 30, 36–52 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10804-022-09410-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10804-022-09410-x