Curiosity and Well–Being in Emerging Adulthood

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between curiosity and well–being in 18– to 29–year–old individuals. In a group of 378 working emerging adults, a survey battery was administered to measure cognitive and sensory curiosity, achieved emerging adulthood, and–being, as well as select theoretically relevant demographic variables (e.g., gender, ethnicity, income). Moderated hierarchical regression analysis revealed that among the achieved adulthood criteria, achieving family capacity, role transition, and biological transition had positive effects on well–being, while achieving independence, interdependence, and norm compliance demonstrated a null effect. Cognitive and sensory curiosity and their interaction also had a positive effect on well–being. The contributions to emerging adulthood and curiosity theories and their empirical and practical implications are discussed.