19 - Emerging Adulthood
Psychosocial Development
Ages 18 - 25
Continuity and Change
Identity

Still seeking who they are
Erikson

Intimacy vs. Isolation
◦ 6th. Stage
Identity
Ethnic identity
 Vocational identity

Intimacy
Intimacy
Intimacy and friendships defend against
stress
 Intimacy progresses from attraction –
close connection – commitment
 Several paths to intimacy, not just
marriage and parenthood

Gender influence on intimacy

Men = Share activities and interests
◦ Not failures and emotional problems

Women = Share secrets, weaknesses &
problems
◦ Expect sympathy
Romantic partners

Arranged marriages
◦ “What does love have to do with it?”
Adolescents ask for parent’s permission
 Live together & marry when they are able

◦ Western cultures
The dimensions of love - Sternberg’s
triangular concept of love

Passion
◦ Sex & intense emotions

Intimacy
◦ Knowing someone well
◦ Sharing secrets

Commitment
◦ Grows gradually




Decisions to be together
Mutual care
Kept secrets
Forgiveness
Relationship Patterns
Hookups without commitment
Sexual encounter without intimacy nor
commitment
 Less likely if a serious relationship is
desired

◦ Prefer to get to know them first
Cohabitation
Most young adults (in U.S., England, &
Europe) cohabit rather than marry before
age 25
 Half plan to marry
 More likely to fight & end the relationship
than marrieds
 Cohabitation does not prevent marriage
problems
 Cohabitation = increased chance of later
divorce

What makes relationships succeed?
Changes in marriage patterns
Most adults 20-30 are not married
 Fewer adults are married and more are
divorced
 Divorce rate = half of marriage rate
 Multiple divorces & remarriages skew the
statistics
 In the U.S. only one first marriage in three
– not one in two – ends in divorce

Factors leading to improvement in
relationships
Good communication
 Financial security
 End of addiction or illness

Children

Children are an added stress
◦ Particularly during adolescence
Similarities and differences

Homogamy
◦ Like marries like
◦ Similar: Age, Race, Ethnicity, SES, Religion,
Education, Attitudes

Social homogamy
◦ Similar leisure interests & role preferences
◦ E.g. Reading a book at home, vs. wanting to go
out and party

Heterogamy
◦ Dissimilar attributes
Conflict
Learning to listen

Demand withdraw interaction
◦ Women – Want to talk (demanding)
◦ Men – Don’t want to talk (withdraw)
Intimate partner violence
Emerging adults experience more
violence than over 25 years old
 Alcohol and drugs increase severity of
violence

Types of intimate partner violence

Situational couple violence
◦ Based more on the situation than personality
◦ E.g. No money, job stress

Intimate terrorism
◦ Physical, sexual, psychological abuse
◦ Victim too scared to fight back, seek help, or
withdraw
◦ Get out of the house to a safe place
Emerging adults and their parents

Linked lives
◦ Each family member linked to others
 Dependent on others for success, health and well-being
◦ Many 18 – 25 year olds still live at home
 Parents encourage young adults to become independent
 Many family relationships improve when young adults
leave home

Financial support
◦ Parents helping adult children
◦ Tuition, medical care, food, etc.