Brazilian Emerging Adults: Scoping Review

The purpose of this scoping review was to identify research on the phenomenon of emerging adulthood in the Brazilian context. The databases consulted were Virtual Health Library (VHL-Health), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Brazilian Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (BDTD), CAPES Periodical Portal, Electronic Journals in Psychology (PEPSIC), and Institute of Education Sciences (ERIC). The search strategy used was as follows: “Emerging Adulthood” OR “Emerging Adult*” OR “Emerging Adults” OR “Emerge Adult*” and “Adultez Emergente” OR “Adultos Emergentes” OR “Adulto Emergente*” in Portuguese language separately. Twenty-four publications were retrieved: 66.66% articles, 16.66% master’s dissertations, and 16.66% PhD thesis. Following the norms of the PRISMA-ScR protocol, the inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined. For analysis, the publications were organized into two thematic axes: characteristics of emerging adults in Brazil, and risk and protection factors in emerging adulthood. In consensus, the results reveal that emerging adulthood is a period that impacts the stage of human development from 18 to 29 years of age in the affective, professional, and cognitive spheres. Interpersonal relationships and a satisfactory institutional environment are the main protective factors for emerging adults. Among the risk factors identified are the use of psychoactive substances and the lack of social, community, and institutional support. Thus, it is proposed that further research with the Brazilian emerging adult population occur in order to expand the understanding of this developmental stage in the national context based on the gaps identified in this review and, if necessary, to develop interventions and public policies aimed at the prevention and promotion of emerging adult health.