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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

parental stress, mediator, relationship satisfaction, child well-being, adult development groups

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

Abstract

In the last 15 years, a new body of research has emerged looking specifically at the development of individuals between the ages of 18 to 25. Historically, this developmental period has been marked by the emergence of new responsibilities such as marriage and parenthood that are much less likely to occur for individuals of that age group today. Recent trends have shown that people are getting married and having children at later and later ages; using this time period instead as a time to gain an education, and form a self-identity (Arnett, 2010; Arnett, 2000; Arnett, 2007; Tanner book). Although researchers do not always agree on the importance and desirability of this developmental stage (Arnett, Taber, 1994; Arnett, 2000; Arnett, 2007; Côté, Bynner, 2008), they generally agree that significant differences exist. Research targeting „emerging adults,‟ (the term coined by Jeff Arnett that defines the new developmental period between the ages of 18-25) has found them to have characteristics that set them apart from other developmental groups, such as increased resilience in the face of adversity, increased risk taking, and an increased focus on self and identity formation. (Arnett, Taber, 1994; Arnett, 2000; Arnett, 2007; Gurevitz, 2004; Cardegna, 2007; Hendry, Kloep, 2007; Côté, Bynner, 2008).

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