Psychology

Brief report: Danish emerging adults' conceptions of adulthood

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Four hundred Danish emerging adults ages 17-29 were surveyed regarding their conceptions of adulthood and their self-assessments of their adult status. A majority of the 17-24-year-olds and nearly half the 25-29-year-olds viewed themselves as being adults in some ways but not others. Participants reported feeling most adult when with co-workers or romantic partners, and least adult with mothers, fathers, or friends. The most widely-endorsed criteria for adulthood were accepting responsibility for one's self, making independent decisions, and becoming financially independent. Among the least-endorsed criteria were the traditional transition events of entering marriage and parenthood, as well as "avoid becoming drunk.".

Publication Title

Journal of Adolescence

Publication Date

1-2015

Volume

38

First Page

39

Last Page

44

ISSN

0140-1971

DOI

10.1016/j.adolescence.2014.10.011

Keywords

conceptions of adulthood, emerging adulthood, Northern Europe, Scandinavia, transition to adulthood, Young adulthood

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