Problems with Adolescents
Transitioning to Adulthood
LANCE KLATY, MIKE HERRON, STEVEN GONSALVES,
KATHERINE TESTA
Introduction
 Finding Identity
 Cognitive Development
 Exposure to more freedom
 Parent relationships
 Conclusion
 Questions
Finding Identity
Emerging Adults need to be recognized for who they
are, and encouraged to recognize themselves for who
they are. In addition, it’s important that they are not
too hard on themselves. For this can cause problems
(will talk about in upcoming slides).
James Marciav, clinical and developmental
psychologist places emerging adults in four stages
in order to achieve identity within the transition to
adulthood.
Four Stages of Marcia model
 Foreclosure-Acceptance of an identity status
assigned by someone else
 Moratorium-Exploration and experimentation with
different identities without commitment
 Achievement-commitment to identity after the
experimentation period
 Diffusion-Avoiding re-exploration of Identity (This
avoids identity crisis)
Personal Refection.
This is a good model to apply to many of
you in this room. Ask yourself this..
Have you achieved all four stages of
Marcia’s model?
If you answered no, what do you need to
work on to achieve personal identity?
Cognitive Development
 Biological Factors
 Development of Mental Health
Involving the Prefrontal
Cortex & Amygdala
Biological Factors
 Faster Development of
the Amygdala creating a
greater effect and impact
on memories that trigger
emotions.

The job you had in college
made you feel really good
about yourself and gave
you purpose. Later in life
you will be more likely to
remember how the job
made you feel more so
than what you did on a
day-to-day bases.
 Prefrontal Cortex
develops later.

Anger because someone
cut you off at the store.
You flip them off and start
a physical confederation
with them. After coming
out of the store you see
your car has been keyed.
Development Of Mental Health
and
How they occur in Emerging Adults
 Due to the new responsibilities and stresses Emerging
Adults are faced with during this time period, transitions
can twist and coincide with mental health illnesses.

Episodes of Schizophrenia, Bipolar, and Depression can occur.
 Dr Karen Hochman, (Proffessor in developmental, and
behavioral Psychology) says some emerging adults are at
higher risk for the development of mental illness partially
due to genetics. Although most develop a mental illness due
to unsettled stress factors that occur in early childhood and
reappear in late adolescents. Late teen-Early Twenties are a
crucial time for prevention
Crucial for
Emerging
Adults to be
heard for who
they are and
their developing
idea and view.
Drugs and Alcohol are a
major influence in this
development. Drugs such
as Cocaine and Marijuana
can trigger psychotic
symptoms associated with
schizophrenia and bipolar
disorder.
How to Prevent Mental
Illness?
Healthy Environment that
involves good self reflection.
Community in which you can talk
to about feeling, thoughts and
view.
*such as friends,
family, church community, social
clubs, and other organizations in
which you can involve yourself
and speak your views
Exposure to more Freedom
 In the Transition to Adulthood, many emerging
adolescents are moving out of their parents house.
Some attend college after high school, others become
fulltime employees. Due to this new exposure of
freedom problems arise, such as Addiction to drugs
and alcohol.
 Taking a look at how Alcohol effects Gender, College
Status, and Employment in the emerging adolescents
stage
Gender: 45% of men and 27% of
women are heavy drinker ((fiver
or more drinks on one
occasion))
College Status: College campus
environments encourage heavy
drinking due to the presents of
Alcohol during most social
functions. Also peer pressure
has higher influence.
Employment: Slight increase in
daily drinking and decrease in
heavy drinking. Significant
reeducation in drinking as a
whole. (Heavy + Daily)
Parent Relationships
 Due to the change occurring such as (everything we have
talked about) there is a change or difference in the
relationship between parents and emerging Adults.
 One hypothesize by June James says parent-child
relations from younger adulthood or even childhood,
influence the relationship of emerging adults.
Specifically, close and supportive relationships in
emerging adulthood.
On the contrast, parent-child conflict over discipline in
early stages will be related to more conflict and less
emotional closeness and support.
How these different relationships
influence emerging adult in a positive and
negative manor
Secure & Close (Positive)
-Less likely to experience
Problems with alcohol
Abuse
-More likely to lead
successful and have a
more powerful career
Distant and Aggressive
(Negative)


Experience problems with
drug abuse
More likely to develop
mental illness
Conclusion
 Finding Identity
 Cognitive Development
 Exposure to more freedom
 Parent relationships
Questions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXvu8CthiBU
References.

Aquilino, W. (n.d.). From adolescent to young adult. Retrieved from
http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/353953 (Aquilino)

Helene, R., & Jackson, K. (n.d.). Emgering adults and drinking behaviors. Retrieved
from http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh284/182-190.htm (Helene & Jackson)

Tarugu, U. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/health/The_Real_World__Recognizing_Mental_I
llness_in_Young_Adults.html (Tarugu)

Shacter, D. L., Gilbert, D. T., & Wegner, D. M. (2010). Introducing pscychology. New
York City: Worth Publishing. (Shacter, Gilbert & Wegner, 2010)