Perception of Adulthood and Psychological Adjustment in Emerging Adults

One of the goals of the study was to check the differences in perception of adult status and fulfilment of achieved subjective criteria of adulthood regarding the transitional markers (professional status and living with parents) and gender. Another goal was to test the contribution of transitional markers, achieved subjective criteria of adulthood and perceived adult status on anxiety, depression and life satisfaction, with control of demographics. A sample of 572 university students, the employed, and the unemployed emerging adults, has been assessed. The measures included Depression and Anxiety Stress Scale, The Satisfaction with Life Scale, Achieved Criteria for Adulthood and Adult Status. The results show that the employed perceived the highest number of achieved adulthood criteria. After controlling for transitional markers, fewer achieved criteria of adulthood predict more symptoms of anxiety and depression. Emerging adults who perceive more achieved criteria of adulthood and who feel as adults have higher life satisfaction. The unemployed young adults, especially men, are at higher risk of having poor psychological adjustment as they struggle with the full realization of an adult role.