Unique Themes And Transitions During Emerging Adulthood

Emerging adulthood generally occurs from ages 18 to 29. This period of life can be unique in its fast-paced transitions and themes, although each person may have different experiences. 

Understanding this transition

Understanding how young adulthood can impact your physical and mental health may validate your experiences and help you know when it might be beneficial to seek social support and guidance if you are in this age group. A licensed therapist can help you navigate these potentially challenging years through in-person or online therapy sessions.

According to psychology, when is “emerging adulthood”? 

Emerging adulthood was first defined in 1995 by psychologist Jeffrey Jensen Arnett, Ph.D. Arnett studied 300 people aged 18 to 29 to figure out what young adults were seeking in life. He noted that many of the participants had experienced senses of "being in-between" adolescence and adulthood, with many still connected to some of the comforts of adolescence, like living at home or relying on familial financial support. 

Emerging adulthood can have different meanings for different individuals, but it is often defined by the moment in human development when an individual starts to emerge from adolescence into an adult world up until the time they meet "adult responsibilities and milestones" like marriage, living alone, getting a career, or deciding their future path. 

Five stages of emerging adulthood

Emerging adults: Unique phases in each life stage

To understand emerging adulthood, it can be helpful to break down each "stage" into events and concepts that may occur. Below are the five stages of young adult roles as theorized by Arnett. 

Identity exploration as an emerging adult

Young adults may start to explore their identity in greater detail than they did in their late teens. Identity exploration can look like the following: 

• Defining one's sexuality and gender identity 

• Finding healthy relationships

• Deciding what hobbies one has

• Setting career and educational goals

• Deciding what types of friends or partners one wants to have 

Instability in emerging adulthood

As a young adult, you might experience instability as you enter the career force, sign up for school, or look for future opportunities. In adolescence, you may have faced choices about where to go to school, what you might want to do for a first job, and how you might move out. However, as adulthood begins, you are typically faced with taking action toward these goals, such as applying for new jobs, putting yourself forward, and learning how to cope with failures. These changes can cause instability in mental health, finances, and your living situation. 

The psychology of self-focus

Young adults often focus on themselves as they strive for a successful transition into a new phase. Being self-focused in young adulthood can be normal and healthy, as it offers a time to self-reflect and gain self-love and self-compassion. As you notice how your life has changed, you can start to make choices for yourself and gain independence from your family and adolescent life. 

Late teens on being “in-between”

A sense of being "in-between" childhood and adulthood may accompany emerging adulthood. You might still live with your family or caregivers or wonder how your old life fits in with a changing new life. Knowing you're not alone may be helpful in whichever way you believe you are experiencing an "in-between" moment. It can be normal to perceive that you don't have everything figured out into your early 30s or farther. Experimentation and self-curiosity can be parts of this stage. 

Possibilities for emerging adults

Young adulthood can often open up possibilities. Some larger-profile jobs look for younger emerging adults who have new university degrees. In addition, many emerging adults find their first partners or life partners during this time. Some individuals may start a family, adopt animals, or move to a new city, state, or country. These possibilities may also open the door to further learning and growth in each developmental stage. 

Late teens entering adulthood: Common transitions during emerging adulthood

Below are a few of the most common transitions young people may face. 

Living alone

For those who have lived with their parents or caregivers until they are 18, some may choose to save money to move out and live alone. Others may transition from group homes, foster care, or homelessness to an era where they can legally find housing and seek independence. These changes can have significant mental and physical health impacts, whether positive or negative. However, financial insecurity may occur due to lower-paying jobs for young people, a costly rental market, and inflation. 

Romance and sexual relationships

Although some people may have had serious relationships in adolescence that last through adulthood, others may start to explore dating and sexuality for the first time after 18. Having a romantic partner can be rewarding and may also come with painful emotions and thoughts. Having a serious breakup or loss of a relationship can also occur, which may be different to navigate as an adult. 

University and schooling

For those who choose to go to school in young adulthood, working toward a college degree can take a significant portion of time, and one may have to navigate a full-time or part-time job while trying to study. Student debt can also occur, which may be stressful to pay off after earning a degree. However, earning a degree can be a significant milestone in life. Although older adults and people across every life span can also attend university, young adults may be more likely to attend higher education directly after high school. 

Finding a career

Whether someone looks for a career during, after, or instead of college, finding a career path that they enjoy can be challenging. Some young adults may know what they want to do, but building experience can take years. For that reason, young adulthood is often a period of building experience, growing a resume, and learning to navigate a quickly changing career force. 

Forming an identity

According to a study in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence, "The process of exploring and committing to one's identity for the sake of a future-oriented goal is important for young adults' psychosocial functioning." Although identity formation can also occur in adolescence, some young adults continue learning who they are and what they want as time progresses. Brains generally do not finish developing and growing until around age 25, so the early years of young adulthood (the late stage of adolescence) can be highly formative for many people. 

The impact of young and emerging adulthood on mental and physical health 

Young adulthood can have several ups and downs and may impact one's mental and physical health positively and negatively. Below are a few impacts to keep in mind. 

Generational trauma

Some young adults start to realize they may have experienced generational trauma growing up once they leave home. It can be challenging to juggle new responsibilities with the understanding that some patterns in the family are unhealthy or abusive*. Although not everyone experiences this, those who do may notice symptoms of anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as they start an independent life. 

Generational trauma generally refers to unhealthy patterns passed down from generation to generation. For example, a parent who was mistreated as a child may then mistreat their own child. Some young adults start to work through these traumatic patterns and make a pact to break the cycle with their own children if they choose to have them. 

*If you or a loved one is experiencing abuse, contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Support is available 24/7.

Chronic stress

Emerging adulthood may also be associated with chronic stress, which can be defined as a constant release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline due to an activated nervous system. When the nervous system is active for more than a day, it can start to have adverse mental and physical health effects, including a reduced immune system, migraines, gastrointestinal challenges, anxiety, and other symptoms. 

Severe stress paired with a traumatic event can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder, including symptoms like avoidance, depression, anxiety, dissociation, and difficulty trusting others in relationships. 

Finding support as a young and emerging adult 

If you are 18 to 29 years old and experiencing the ups and downs of young adulthood, speaking to a licensed therapist may be beneficial. A provider can guide you through these moments, offer advice, listen to you vent, and give you tools to cope with challenging emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. You can also partake in couples therapy if you're in a relationship. 

Benefits of online therapy

Some young people may be too busy or financially stressed to attend traditional in-person therapy. In these cases, online counseling through a platform like BetterHelp may be beneficial. With these platforms, you can attend therapy at a lower price and choose between phone, video, or chat sessions with your therapist. Outside of sessions, you can send weekly messages and receive responses when your therapist is available. 

Effectiveness of online therapy

In general, studies support the effectiveness of online therapy for young adults. One study found that undergraduate students found online therapy significantly effective after the COVID-19 pandemic. The study looked at students of all genders who had previously attended face-to-face counseling. The students typically had a more positive attitude toward internet-based options.