Abstract
Recent research has indicated that emerging adulthood, the late teen years and early twenties, is a distinct developmental period, which occurs gradually and is often filled with exploration, stress, uncertainty and a lack of a distinct role in life. Few studies, however, have examined how emerging adulthood tenets are experienced by young people involved with social service systems. With this in mind, fifty-nine young adults, ages 18 to 25, participated in in-depth interviews regarding their perspectives on transitioning to adulthood and adulthood. Participants were struggling with emotional difficulties, and shared a childhood history, which included a mood disorder diagnosis and utilization of public mental health and social services (e.g., child welfare, juvenile justice, and/or public welfare). The study sought to understand whether or not young adults with mental health and social service histories experience similar (or different) dimensions of mainstream emerging adulthood developmental theory during the late teens and early twenties. Theoretical thematic analysis indicated support not only for the theory of emerging adulthood, but also aspects unique to this sub-population. Implications for practice, policy and research are discussed.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 923-929 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Children and Youth Services Review |
| Volume | 35 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jun 2013 |
Fingerprint
Keywords
- Emerging adulthood
- Former system youth
- Human development
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Education
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Sociology and Political Science
Cite this
Emerging adulthood among former system youth : The ideal versus the real. / Munson, Michelle R.; Lee, Bethany R.; Miller, David; Cole, Andrea; Nedelcu, Cristina.
In: Children and Youth Services Review, Vol. 35, No. 6, 06.2013, p. 923-929.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Emerging adulthood among former system youth
T2 - The ideal versus the real
AU - Munson, Michelle R.
AU - Lee, Bethany R.
AU - Miller, David
AU - Cole, Andrea
AU - Nedelcu, Cristina
PY - 2013/6
Y1 - 2013/6
N2 - Recent research has indicated that emerging adulthood, the late teen years and early twenties, is a distinct developmental period, which occurs gradually and is often filled with exploration, stress, uncertainty and a lack of a distinct role in life. Few studies, however, have examined how emerging adulthood tenets are experienced by young people involved with social service systems. With this in mind, fifty-nine young adults, ages 18 to 25, participated in in-depth interviews regarding their perspectives on transitioning to adulthood and adulthood. Participants were struggling with emotional difficulties, and shared a childhood history, which included a mood disorder diagnosis and utilization of public mental health and social services (e.g., child welfare, juvenile justice, and/or public welfare). The study sought to understand whether or not young adults with mental health and social service histories experience similar (or different) dimensions of mainstream emerging adulthood developmental theory during the late teens and early twenties. Theoretical thematic analysis indicated support not only for the theory of emerging adulthood, but also aspects unique to this sub-population. Implications for practice, policy and research are discussed.
AB - Recent research has indicated that emerging adulthood, the late teen years and early twenties, is a distinct developmental period, which occurs gradually and is often filled with exploration, stress, uncertainty and a lack of a distinct role in life. Few studies, however, have examined how emerging adulthood tenets are experienced by young people involved with social service systems. With this in mind, fifty-nine young adults, ages 18 to 25, participated in in-depth interviews regarding their perspectives on transitioning to adulthood and adulthood. Participants were struggling with emotional difficulties, and shared a childhood history, which included a mood disorder diagnosis and utilization of public mental health and social services (e.g., child welfare, juvenile justice, and/or public welfare). The study sought to understand whether or not young adults with mental health and social service histories experience similar (or different) dimensions of mainstream emerging adulthood developmental theory during the late teens and early twenties. Theoretical thematic analysis indicated support not only for the theory of emerging adulthood, but also aspects unique to this sub-population. Implications for practice, policy and research are discussed.
KW - Emerging adulthood
KW - Former system youth
KW - Human development
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84876344812&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84876344812&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.03.003
DO - 10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.03.003
M3 - Article
VL - 35
SP - 923
EP - 929
JO - Children and Youth Services Review
JF - Children and Youth Services Review
SN - 0190-7409
IS - 6
ER -