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Doctor of Ministry (DMin), Bidwell Presbyterian Church (BPC) is in downtown Chico, CA next door to California State University, Chico (Chico State). Despite the proximity and historic connection to Chico State’s campus, emerging adults are underrepresented and underserved within the BPC congregation. This project develops a model of leadership that will enable change within the Bidwell Presbyterian Church congregation leading to revitalized expressions of ministry on behalf of emerging adults. According to the Fuller Youth Institutes’ (FYI) Growing Young project, six core commitments were discovered in congregations who draw and engage young people ages fifteen to twenty-nine. Growing Young provides a strategic framework of leadership and adaptive change in congregations to implement these core commitments. This project augments Growing Young’s strategic framework by focusing on building adaptive capacities among BPC’s leadership. While strategy is vital to a change process, it is insufficient for addressing the cultural shifts required for a congregation like BPC to revitalize emerging adult ministry. Adaptive congregational change requires the development of spiritual and emotional leadership capacities. In this project I led several teams of congregational stakeholders through a process that built my own adaptive capacity as well as theirs while creating alignment with the Growing Young strategic framework. During the first phase, two task forces were formed and underwent an equipping process while building trust. The second phase involved ministry teams who practiced core commitments while continuing to dialog within holding environments. Building on the first two phases, the third phase mobilized other groups and teams within the congregation to develop adaptive capacity and further align themselves with the strategic framework offered by Growing Young. Throughout the process, this project assessed how well I and these ministry teams developed our adaptive capacity, as well as how emergi

Doctor of Ministry (DMin), The purpose of this project is to bridge the wisdom and faith stories of the members of Richmond’s First Baptist Church to the young adults in the surrounding neighborhoods who, while spiritual, no longer feel an obligation to commit to organized religion. The project took place in three stages. In stage one, a group of church members participated in a four-week study on the decline of Christendom and the new landscape of faith in a post-Christendom era. In stage two, a cohort of young adults, ages twenty to thirty-five, participated throughout the fall in an urban hiking group that explored faith through the spiritual practice of pilgrimage. The cohort considered journey stories found in both biblical narratives and stories from adult members of Richmond’s First Baptist Church. Young adults were encouraged to discover how faith is embodied in walking and how God is present and active along the journey. They were asked to find intentional ways to incorporate the lessons of the road in their day-to-day lives. In stage three, both cohorts participated in a combined group study about pilgrimage as experienced through the Old Testament story of Naomi and Ruth. This group discovered how the shared journey of two women representing different generations and cultures, through liminal space and time, changed both women and the future of the Hebrew people. The group then applied the story to their time and context, imagining how a similar shared journey could make an impact in their lives, church, and community.

Emerging adulthood shapes personal, professional, and overall well-being through identity exploration. This study addresses a gap in the minority identity literature by investigating how urban AI/AN emerging adults think about their identity and discussing challenges and protective factors associated with exploring their identity holistically. This mixed-methods study created a sampling framework based on discrimination experiences, cultural identity, social network support, mental health, and problematic substance use. We recruited 20 urban AI/AN emerging adults for interviews. We sought to gain deeper insights into their experiences and discussions surrounding identity formation and exploration. We provide descriptives for demographic characteristics and conducted a thematic analysis of the qualitative data from the interviews. Four themes emerged: a) being an urban AI/AN emerging adult means recognizing that ones identity is multifaceted; b) a multifaceted identity comes with tension of living in multiple worlds; c) the trajectory of ones identity grows over time to a deeper desire to connect with Native American culture; and d) understanding ones Native American background affects ones professional trajectory. Findings underscore the importance of developing programs to support well-being and identity development through cultural connection for urban AI/AN emerging adults.

Alternative subcultures are characterized by being outside mainstream society, with membershaving similar music preferences, appearances, and values. The goal of this study was tounderstand the experiences of emerging adults who identify with alternative subcultures (e.g.,goth, emo, punk, etc). The sample included 83 participants from three groups: 1) self-identifiedalternative social media users, 2) self-identified alternative undergraduate students, and 3)undergraduate students who did not identify with alternative subcultures. Participants completedan online survey containing open-ended questions about subcultural identity and mental healthmeasures for depressive and anxious symptoms, positive affect, and negative affect. Resultsrevealed higher levels of depressive symptoms in both alternative groups compared to thenon-alternative group, and higher levels of negative affect in the social media alternative groupcompared to the non-alternative group. There were no significant group differences for levels ofanxious symptoms or positive affect. Qualitative findings revealed that self-expression andauthenticity are subcultural values and that distinct music taste and appearance are indicators ofsubcultural identity. Although friends and family often introduce today’s emerging adults tosubcultures, they mainly learn about the pressing issues within the alternative communitythrough social media. This topic remains widely unexplored, and future studies should examinewhy today’s self-identified alternative emerging adults may report higher levels of depressivesymptoms and negative affect. One possible reason is that society continues to hold mostlynegative perceptions of subcultures. This research is important for providing services to promotewell-being for individuals who identify with alternative subcultures.

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of emerging adults’ interactions with financial socialization and financial technology. This study examined various forms of financial mentoring emerging adults encounter before fully entering adulthood. The essential question is: What are emerging adults’ lived experiences with financial technology? The theory guiding this study is Gudmunson and Danes’ family financial socialization theory (2011) (FFST), which rationalizes how emerging adults obtain financial knowledge based on lived experiences. The researcher intentionally constructed this study as a qualitative transcendental phenomenological investigation gathering individuals’ experiences with a specific phenomenon through quality interview sessions, focus groups, and letter-writing prompts, resulting in descriptive content focused on the phenomenon. This study collected data from ten participants who had experienced FFST, identifying them through snowball sampling and the specific criteria of 18-26 years old and enrolled in a college or university degree program. The examination of the data ensured thematic saturation, and data triangulation provided insights into the participants' experience with fintech through FFST. Findings revealed that the themes, behaviors associated with FFST, distressing spending habits, and sociocultural dynamics affecting FFST significantly influenced the resourcefulness of emerging adults and how they subsidized their financial literacy knowledge using financial technology.

The purpose of this qualitative grounded theory study was to explore how evangelical Christian parents established foundations for biblical worldview development in their elementary-age children (5-10) so that a model of this process could be created. This study also examined the value of a parental organizational partnership. The participants in this study included evangelical Christian parents who possess a biblical worldview and their emerging adult children who are also evangelical Christians who maintain a biblical worldview and who graduated from Biblical Worldview Leadership Institute within the last 6 years. The theory guiding this study was Sire's (2015) three-dimensional concept of worldview. This study’s results reveal the significance of the parental role in establishing foundations for biblical worldview development in elementary-age children (5-10), highlighting the strategies, resources, and support systems that contributed to parents’ effectiveness. Additionally, this study’s results affirm the value of select parental organizational partnerships.

Introduction: The Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI) is one of the most commonly used scales for measuring psychopathic traits from childhood to adulthood. Objective: The aim of the current research was to scrutinize the psychometric properties of the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory-Short Version (YPI-S) translated into French. Method: The factor structure, internal consistency, and convergent validity of YPI-S scores were examined in a sample of 757 emerging adults from the general population in France (aged 18–20 years; 54.43% women). Results: Results of confirmatory factor analyses support the proposed 3-factor structure (observed in children and adolescents) among both men and women. The YPI-S total score and the 3 factor (Grandiose-Manipulative, Callous-Unemotional, and Impulsive-Irresponsible) scores were internally consistent. Correlations with external criterion variables of interest, including the Dark Triad construct and its components (psychopathy, machiavellianism and narcissism), reactive and proactive aggression, and delinquency, support the convergent validity of the interpretation of YPI-S scores. Finally, findings also suggest that YPI-S works consistently for both men and women. Conclusion: In addition to demonstrating the psychometric qualities of the French version of the YPI-S, this research provides further evidences for the value of this brief and time-effective self-report instrument in the study of psychopathic traits across different developmental phases, and especially during the transition to adulthood.

Mental disorders constitute one of the population’s principal health problems, especially among undergraduates. This quantitative study compared levels of depression, anxiety and stress in a sample of emerging adult university undergraduates from a gender perspective (1) during the initial and intermediate years of emerging adulthood, and (2) in two different cohorts. 383 Spanish emerging adult university undergraduates were monitored longitudinally (2015-2018) and two cohorts were compared (2015-2020). Participants completed the validated Spanish version of the DASS-21. Mean-level and rank-order stability was found across the two waves of the longitudinal study in relation to levels of depression, anxiety and stress. Significant differences were found between the two cohorts, indicating higher levels of psychological distress in 2020 than in 2015. Women were found to have higher levels of psychological distress, particularly stress, than men in both waves and cohorts. Results are discussed in relation to the negative effects of the COVID-19 health crisis on the emotional health of emerging adults. The present study highlights the need to establish measures designed to improve the mental health of emerging adults, which was more severely affected by the COVID-19 crisis than by the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. It also underscores the need to develop interventions designed to alleviate the greater degree of stress suffered by women.

Background: Intergenerational solidarity between parents and emerging adult offspring requires more substantial attention at the present time. Changing demographic structures and transformations in family dynamics over recent decades have increased both opportunities and the need for parent-child interactions and exchanges of support and affection during emerging adulthood. Purpose: The study had two aims: first, to explore patterns in intergenerational solidarity in accordance with different sociodemographic characteristics of emerging adults; and second, to analyse associations between intergenerational solidarity and emerging adults’ psychological distress and satisfaction with life. Methods: Participants were 644 emerging adult university students from Southern Europe (Spain and Portugal), aged between 18 and 29 years, who completed a self-report questionnaire designed to assess variables linked to sociodemographic aspects (gender, country of residence, sexual orientation, living status, family income), intergenerational solidarity, psychological distress and satisfaction with life. Results: The results indicated some differences in intergenerational solidarity patterns in accordance with a range of sociodemographic characteristics. They also revealed significant associations between intergenerational solidarity dimensions and emerging adults’ satisfaction with life and psychological distress. Moreover, affective solidarity was found to fully mediate the relationship between associational, functional and normative solidarity and emerging adults’ adjustment. In the case of conflictual solidarity, affective solidarity was found to partially mediate the relationship between this dimension of intergenerational solidarity and emerging adults’ distress and to fully mediate the relationship between this same dimension and emerging adults’ satisfaction with life. Conclusion: The results indicate that it is important to take sociodemographic diversity into account when e

Background: Intergenerational solidarity between parents and emerging adult offspring requires more substantial attention at the present time. Changing demographic structures and transformations in family dynamics over recent decades have increased both opportunities and the need for parent-child interactions and exchanges of support and affection during emerging adulthood. Purpose: The study had two aims: first, to explore patterns in intergenerational solidarity in accordance with different sociodemographic characteristics of emerging adults; and second, to analyse associations between intergenerational solidarity and emerging adults’ psychological distress and satisfaction with life. Methods: Participants were 644 emerging adult university students from Southern Europe (Spain and Portugal), aged between 18 and 29 years, who completed a self-report questionnaire designed to assess variables linked to sociodemographic aspects (gender, country of residence, sexual orientation, living status, family income), intergenerational solidarity, psychological distress and satisfaction with life. Results: The results indicated some differences in intergenerational solidarity patterns in accordance with a range of sociodemographic characteristics. They also revealed significant associations between intergenerational solidarity dimensions and emerging adults’ satisfaction with life and psychological distress. Moreover, affective solidarity was found to fully mediate the relationship between associational, functional and normative solidarity and emerging adults’ adjustment. In the case of conflictual solidarity, affective solidarity was found to partially mediate the relationship between this dimension of intergenerational solidarity and emerging adults’ distress and to fully mediate the relationship between this same dimension and emerging adults’ satisfaction with life. Conclusion: The results indicate that it is important to take sociodemographic diversity into account when e

El estudio surge de la necesidad de estudiar la adultez emergente (periodo comprendido entre los 18 y 29 años) en España, debido a que se trataba de un tema de reciente aparición y no había estudios al respecto en nuestro país. Para ello, se realizó un estudio transversal en el que se recogieron datos de 1,502 estudiantes universitarios (903 mujeres y 599 hombres) en 2015 (entre 18 y 29 años; M = 20.32; SD = 2.13) y 1,715 estudiantes universitarios, (1,116 mujeres y 599 hombres) en 2020 (entre 18 y 29 años; M = 20.60; SD = 2.49). Además de esto, con los participantes cuyos datos se recogieron en 2015, se llevó a cabo un estudio longitudinal, recogiéndose por segunda vez los datos en 2018, con un total de 383 estudiantes (259 mujeres y 124 hombres), que en 2015 tenía entre 18 y 28 años (M = 20.31; SD = 2.04) y en 2018 tenían edades comprendidas entre los 21 y 32 años (M = 23.66; SD = 2.08).

BACKGROUND: The incidence of sexually transmitted infections has been increasing throughout the world. Additionally, substantial changes in emerging adults' attitudes toward sex and the popularization of premarital sex could further affect the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections. With the high acceptability and effectiveness of instant messaging (IM) interventions for health promotion, there is potential for such interventions to improve condom use knowledge and promote safer sex practice. OBJECTIVE: The study evaluates the feasibility of a nurse-led IM intervention to promote safer sex practices in emerging adults. METHODS: A 30-minute adaptive IM intervention and a 5-day booster dose of daily messages after 2 weeks through WhatsApp (Meta Platforms, Inc) were conducted with emerging adults in local universities in Hong Kong aged between 18 and 29 years with previous sexual experience. A questionnaire was distributed 1 week after the intervention that measured the consistency in condom use, the change in condom use knowledge and attitudes, and the acceptability of the intervention. The feasibility of the intervention was assessed by Bowen's feasibility framework. RESULTS: A total of 20 participants completed the intervention and questionnaire. Results showed (1) high satisfaction level (mean satisfaction score: 9.10/10), (2) high demand of the intervention (retention rate: 95%), (3) smooth implementation of the intervention, (4) high practicality (13/20, 65% of the participants viewed IM to be an effective means of intervention), (5) potential integration of the intervention, and (6) significant mean increase in condom use knowledge and attitudes (mean increase 9.05; t CONCLUSIONS: The IM intervention was feasible, acceptable, and had potential impacts on improving safer sex practices. These findings will support the future development of IM interventions in the arena of sexual health promotion.

This research investigates the relation between climate anxiety, threat perceptions for future generations, and childbearing motivations in childless emerging adults. Using a sample of 1211 Swiss college students aged 18–25, the study explores if threat perceptions mediate the relationship between climate anxiety and childbearing motivations. Results from structural equation modeling (SEM) indicated that climate anxiety significantly predicted greater perceptions of threat, which in turn related to less positive childbearing motivations and more negative childbearing motivations. Specifically, the relationship between climate anxiety and childbearing motivations was partly to fully explained by threat perceptions, suggesting that worries about the future environment could be an important factor in emerging adults’ complex reproductive considerations. No gender moderation was found. These findings underscore the need for policy interventions that provide psychological support and targeted educational resources to assist young adults in navigating the complex interplay between climate anxiety, threat perceptions, and their decisions regarding childbearing., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

BACKGROUND: During transition to adulthood and transfer to adult healthcare, emerging adults with chronic conditions are at risk of deteriorating disease control, well-being, and acute, as well as long-term complications. Despite an increasing call for person-centred healthcare services attuned to young peoples' needs, few validated instruments exist pinpointing adolescents' and emerging adults' experiences of preparation for transition and transfer. Thus, the overarching purpose of this study was to develop a person-centred, clinically applicable instrument (Transitional care EXPeriences Questionnaire, TEXP-Q) adjustable to different chronic conditions, although the focus in the present study was Type 1 Diabetes. The specific aim was, therefore, to describe the development and psychometric evaluation of TEXP-Q in emerging adults with Type 1 Diabetes. METHODS: Initial development of the TEXP-Q was inspired by existing research. Items were formulated in accordance with consensus recommendations for developing patient-reported measures, and extra consideration was taken to ensure person-centredness. Psychometric evaluation comprised two phases: In phase I, data from cognitive interviews, content validity indexing, and judgement of an expert panel provided information on face and content validity. In phase II, data from a cross-sectional study conducted at eight adult diabetes outpatient clinics in Sweden (n = 163) allowed for explorative factor analysis (EFA), as well as calculation of content validity, reliability and responsiveness. RESULTS: Combining results from cognitive interviews, content validity index values and expert panel judgement, a test version of TEXP-Q was developed, the content and face validity of which were considered good. This version consisted of 17 items answered on a five-point Likert scale, and three open-ended questions answered in free text. During EFA, four items were removed, and a three-factor solution was recognised as most adequate, ac

Background During transition to adulthood and transfer to adult healthcare, emerging adults with chronic conditions are at risk of deteriorating disease control, well-being, and acute, as well as long-term complications. Despite an increasing call for person-centred healthcare services attuned to young peoples’ needs, few validated instruments exist pinpointing adolescents’ and emerging adults’ experiences of preparation for transition and transfer. Thus, the overarching purpose of this study was to develop a person-centred, clinically applicable instrument (Transitional care EXPeriences Questionnaire, TEXP-Q) adjustable to different chronic conditions, although the focus in the present study was Type 1 Diabetes. The specific aim was, therefore, to describe the development and psychometric evaluation of TEXP-Q in emerging adults with Type 1 Diabetes. Methods Initial development of the TEXP-Q was inspired by existing research. Items were formulated in accordance with consensus recommendations for developing patient-reported measures, and extra consideration was taken to ensure person-centredness. Psychometric evaluation comprised two phases: In phase I, data from cognitive interviews, content validity indexing, and judgement of an expert panel provided information on face and content validity. In phase II, data from a cross-sectional study conducted at eight adult diabetes outpatient clinics in Sweden (n = 163) allowed for explorative factor analysis (EFA), as well as calculation of content validity, reliability and responsiveness. Results Combining results from cognitive interviews, content validity index values and expert panel judgement, a test version of TEXP-Q was developed, the content and face validity of which were considered good. This version consisted of 17 items answered on a five-point Likert scale, and three open-ended questions answered in free text. During EFA, four items were removed, and a three-factor solution was recognised as most adequate, accou

Background During transition to adulthood and transfer to adult healthcare, emerging adults with chronic conditions are at risk of deteriorating disease control, well-being, and acute, as well as long-term complications. Despite an increasing call for person-centred healthcare services attuned to young peoples’ needs, few validated instruments exist pinpointing adolescents’ and emerging adults’ experiences of preparation for transition and transfer. Thus, the overarching purpose of this study was to develop a person-centred, clinically applicable instrument (Transitional care EXPeriences Questionnaire, TEXP-Q) adjustable to different chronic conditions, although the focus in the present study was Type 1 Diabetes. The specific aim was, therefore, to describe the development and psychometric evaluation of TEXP-Q in emerging adults with Type 1 Diabetes. Methods Initial development of the TEXP-Q was inspired by existing research. Items were formulated in accordance with consensus recommendations for developing patient-reported measures, and extra consideration was taken to ensure person-centredness. Psychometric evaluation comprised two phases: In phase I, data from cognitive interviews, content validity indexing, and judgement of an expert panel provided information on face and content validity. In phase II, data from a cross-sectional study conducted at eight adult diabetes outpatient clinics in Sweden (n = 163) allowed for explorative factor analysis (EFA), as well as calculation of content validity, reliability and responsiveness. Results Combining results from cognitive interviews, content validity index values and expert panel judgement, a test version of TEXP-Q was developed, the content and face validity of which were considered good. This version consisted of 17 items answered on a five-point Likert scale, and three open-ended questions answered in free text. During EFA, four items were removed, and a three-factor solution was recognised as most adequate, accou

Bakgrund: Diabetes typ 1 är en kronisk autoimmun sjukdom som orsakar att personen behöver regelbunden behandling. Det påverkar deras vardag och kan orsaka både kort- och långsiktiga komplikationer. Livet som ung vuxen kan vara utmanande och att samtidigt leva med kronisk sjukdom kan skapa svårigheter, i en redan komplex period i livet. Utökad kunskap om detta är därför viktigt för hälso- och sjukvårdspersonal. Syfte: Att beskriva unga vuxnas upplevelser av att leva med diabetes typ 1. Metod: Litteraturstudien baseras på kvalitativa studier och analyserades med kvalitativ manifest innehållsanalys med induktiv ansats. Resultat: Data resulterade i 7 slutkategorier: Stöttande omgivning är betydelsefullt och ger trygghet, Svårighet att hitta balans mellan diabeteshanteringen och livet, Det ökade ansvaret är betungande men leder även till personlig utveckling, Önskan att passa in och inte stigmatiseras, Behov av frihet och kontroll kan påverka diabeteshanteringen, Att det finns barriärer inom hälso- och sjukvården, Rädsla över komplikationer och graviditet. Slutsatser: Upplevelser av att leva med diabetes typ 1 varierade mellan de unga vuxna. Det fanns en gemensam önskan över ökad kunskap och förståelse i samhället och hos hälso- och sjukvårdspersonal för att de ska kunna tillgodose individuella behov och en personcentrerad vård.

Doctor of Ministry (DMin), Young adults, ages 18–29, have disengaged from Adventist congregations at alarming rates. Young adults are on their own spiritual journeys and are in need of caring believers who understand this quest to provide the best support for this unique time in their lives. In search for a comprehensive solution, Adventist pastors discovered the positive research by Fuller Youth Institute’s Growing Young, which highlighted six commitments of exemplar congregations that were thriving with young people. The six commitments were not new but corroborated with Adventist theology and polity. Therefore, Growing Young garnered a wide Adventist acceptance, with over 6,500 Adventist members completing the companion assessment (as part of a cohort experience) to determine a congregation’s reality regarding its effectiveness or ineffectiveness with young adults in the six commitments. This dissertation sought to analyze these assessments among Adventists in the North American Division with two questions in mind to discover the strengths and weaknesses of the denomination and further unearth any potential renewal factors from the findings of the assessment. In addition to the assessment data, five exemplar Adventist leaders were interviewed for illustrative stories of how the six commitments are thoughtfully implemented by an Adventist congregation, which showed positive results. The key findings discovered are the opposing perceptions among young adults and older members (ages 50+) and opposing perceptions of young adults and adolescents regarding the effectiveness of the congregation in the six commitments. Adventism historically supported young people and is relatively open to change right now, but to have a significant congregational culture shift with the six commitments of Growing Young, there need to be renewed ministry efforts, as expressed in the dissertation conclusion, with specific recommendations for change.

Hope is a crucial concept to explore to prepare our youth for a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world. It is a strong protective and enabling factor for emerging adults, specifically in the context of university studies. However, there remain several unanswered questions about the mechanisms that facilitate these adaptive relationships. Additionally, there are limitations evident in the translation of the dominant psychological theory of hope to facilitate hope in young adults. This thesis aims to address these gaps, storying the journey towards a reconceptualised systems theory of hope. To progress this endeavour, the thesis aimed to: 1) examine the development of Snyder’s (1989) Hope Theory and ensuing methods of study to ascertain potential gaps in the theoretical construction and 2) compare lay to scientific theories of hope to explore both support and opportunities for refinement of the central tenets of these theories. Four investigations were conducted to address these aims. Firstly, a critically appraised topic (CAT) review of Snyder’s (1989) Hope Theory revealed meta-theoretical, theoretical and methodological limitations that have constrained our ability to assess the dynamic interactions between factors that enable hope. The second investigation introduced a storying methodology, Participatory Narrative Inquiry (PNI), to address these limitations, demonstrating how this approach can facilitate the co-production of new knowledge with participants to help refine contextually relevant theories. This investigation was the first critical analysis of the PNI methodology in the academic literature. The PNI approach was tested in a multi-phased qualitative study that engaged university students as co-researchers to explore their experiences and lay theories of how hope emerges. Findings contributed empirical support for some of the central tenets of different theories of hope but also identified missing elements central to students’ experiences of hop

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected individuals’ psychological well-being worldwide, thus representing a challenge for flourishing among emerging adults. To understand psychological processes involved in the positive adaptation to this challenge, the present study examined the role of meaning in life and religious identity as crucial resources for flourishing in a sample of 255 Italian emerging adults. Specifically, as in the midst of a stressful event individuals may experience the potential for flourishing through the process of search for meaning, the study examined the mediated role of existential, spiritual/religious and prosocial orientations as the three primary trajectories for building meaning. Results from path analytic mediation models revealed a positive influence of presence of meaning and in-depth exploration on flourishing. Findings also suggested the contribution of prosocial orientation in building meaning and, ultimately, in increasing flourishing. Implications will be discussed.

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly increased depression rates, particularly in emerging adults. The aim of this study was to examine longitudinal changes in depression risk before and during COVID-19 in a cohort of emerging adults in the U.S. and to determine whether prior drinking or sleep habits could predict the severity of depressive symptoms during the pandemic.MethodsParticipants were 525 emerging adults from the National Consortium on Alcohol and NeuroDevelopment in Adolescence (NCANDA), a five-site community sample including moderate-to-heavy drinkers. Poisson mixed-effect models evaluated changes in the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D-10) from before to during COVID-19, also testing for sex and age interactions. Additional analyses examined whether alcohol use frequency or sleep duration measured in the last pre-COVID assessment predicted pandemic-related increase in depressive symptoms.ResultsThe prevalence of risk for clinical depression tripled due to a substantial and sustained increase in depressive symptoms during COVID-19 relative to pre-COVID years. Effects were strongest for younger women. Frequent alcohol use and short sleep duration during the closest pre-COVID visit predicted a greater increase in COVID-19 depressive symptoms.ConclusionsThe sharp increase in depression risk among emerging adults heralds a public health crisis with alarming implications for their social and emotional functioning as this generation matures. In addition to the heightened risk for younger women, the role of alcohol use and sleep behavior should be tracked through preventive care aiming to mitigate this looming mental health crisis.

The status of mental health for adolescents and young adults has aptly been termed a "crisis" across research, clinical, and policy quarters. Arguably, the status quo provision of mental health services for adolescents and young adults is neither acceptable nor salvageable in its current form. Instead, only a wholesale policy transformation of mental health sciences can address crises of this scope. Pandemic-related impacts on mental health, particularly among young adults, have clearly exposed the need for the mental healthcare field to develop a set of transformative priorities to achieve long overdue, systemic changes: (1) frequent mental health tracking, (2) increased access to mental health care, (3) working with and within communities, (4) collaboration across disciplines and stakeholders, (5) prevention-focused emphasis, (6) use of dimensional descriptions over categorical pronouncements, and (7) addressing systemic inequities. The pandemic required changes in mental healthcare that can and should be the beginning of long-needed reform, calling upon all mental health care disciplines to embrace innovation and relinquish outdated traditions.

The purpose of my study was to investigate the relationship between emerging adults’ perceptions of the autonomy support from their parents in childhood with the positive outcomes of self-esteem, autonomy, competence, grit, and growth mindset in emerging adulthood. I hypothesized that parental autonomy support would relate to and predict each outcome variable, self-esteem would be a significant mediator, autonomy support would differentially predict outcomes in females, and that outcomes would vary based on socioeconomic status. Participants (N = 167; 111 females, 56 males) in a rural university in the northeast completed measures on the variables, including retrospective reports of the autonomy granted to them by their parents in childhood and their own current levels each outcome variable. In regression analyses, maternal autonomy support significantly predicted emerging adults’ self-esteem, competence, and autonomy, though, paternal autonomy support was not a significant predictor of participant outcomes. In mediation analyses, self-esteem fully mediated the relationship between parents’ autonomy support and autonomy, competence, and grit. Emerging adults’ gender also moderated this relationship as maternal autonomy support predicted competence and self-esteem in female but not male undergraduates. The results suggest that autonomy support from mothers in childhood may promote the development of positive outcomes later in life, through the cultivation of intrinsic motivation and the central importance of high self-esteem in development.

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) adolescents and emerging adults experienced social and structural inequities and evinced more psychosocial adjustment difficulties than cisgender, heterosexual youths before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The unique array of stressors confronting SGM youths during the pandemic - including separation from affirming and supportive peers, teachers and communities, and mandated co-residence with potentially rejecting family members - may have exacerbated these discrepancies. Conversely, social distancing and remote learning may have reduced direct exposure to discrimination outside the home, and many SGM youths leveraged their personal and social resources to cope with pandemic-related stressors. This review considers the empirical literature on the academic, psychological, and social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for SGM youths.

The purpose of my study was to investigate the relationship between emerging adults’ perceptions of the autonomy support from their parents in childhood with the positive outcomes of self-esteem, autonomy, competence, grit, and growth mindset in emerging adulthood. I hypothesized that parental autonomy support would relate to and predict each outcome variable, self-esteem would be a significant mediator, autonomy support would differentially predict outcomes in females, and that outcomes would vary based on socioeconomic status. Participants (N = 167; 111 females, 56 males) in a rural university in the northeast completed measures on the variables, including retrospective reports of the autonomy granted to them by their parents in childhood and their own current levels each outcome variable. In regression analyses, maternal autonomy support significantly predicted emerging adults’ self-esteem, competence, and autonomy, though, paternal autonomy support was not a significant predictor of participant outcomes. In mediation analyses, self-esteem fully mediated the relationship between parents’ autonomy support and autonomy, competence, and grit. Emerging adults’ gender also moderated this relationship as maternal autonomy support predicted competence and self-esteem in female but not male undergraduates. The results suggest that autonomy support from mothers in childhood may promote the development of positive outcomes later in life, through the cultivation of intrinsic motivation and the central importance of high self-esteem in development.

Bakgrund: Diabetes typ 1 är en kronisk autoimmun sjukdom som orsakar att personen behöver regelbunden behandling. Det påverkar deras vardag och kan orsaka både kort- och långsiktiga komplikationer. Livet som ung vuxen kan vara utmanande och att samtidigt leva med kronisk sjukdom kan skapa svårigheter, i en redan komplex period i livet. Utökad kunskap om detta är därför viktigt för hälso- och sjukvårdspersonal. Syfte: Att beskriva unga vuxnas upplevelser av att leva med diabetes typ 1. Metod: Litteraturstudien baseras på kvalitativa studier och analyserades med kvalitativ manifest innehållsanalys med induktiv ansats. Resultat: Data resulterade i 7 slutkategorier: Stöttande omgivning är betydelsefullt och ger trygghet, Svårighet att hitta balans mellan diabeteshanteringen och livet, Det ökade ansvaret är betungande men leder även till personlig utveckling, Önskan att passa in och inte stigmatiseras, Behov av frihet och kontroll kan påverka diabeteshanteringen, Att det finns barriärer inom hälso- och sjukvården, Rädsla över komplikationer och graviditet. Slutsatser: Upplevelser av att leva med diabetes typ 1 varierade mellan de unga vuxna. Det fanns en gemensam önskan över ökad kunskap och förståelse i samhället och hos hälso- och sjukvårdspersonal för att de ska kunna tillgodose individuella behov och en personcentrerad vård.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced unprecedented disruptions in higher education operations. While the adverse mental health effects experienced by college students due to these changes are well documented, less is known about the impact on their sexual and reproductive health (SRH), and the reciprocal relationships between SRH and mental health among adolescents and emerging adults. This position paper reviews existing literature on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on SRH, sexual violence, unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted illness and human immunodeficiency virus rates and highlights issues specific to college-aged males, females, racial/ethnic and sexual minorities, and individuals with disabilities. The need to conceptualize SRH as an integral component of normal development, overall health, and well-being in the context of COVID-19 is discussed. The need to prioritize the design and implementation of developmentally appropriate, evidence-based SRH interventions specifically targeting college students is identified. Furthermore, an intergenerational approach to SRH that includes parents/caregivers and/or college faculty and staff (e.g., coaches, trainers) could facilitate comprehensive SRH prevention programming that enhances sexual violence prevention training programs currently mandated by many colleges. Policies and programs designed to mitigate adverse pandemic-related exacerbations in negative SRH outcomes are urgently needed and should be included in mainstream clinical psychology, not only focused on preventing unwanted outcomes but also in promoting rewarding interpersonal relationships and overall well-being. Recommendations for clinical psychologists and mental health researchers are made.

Referring to the theoretical assumptions of Positive Technology, the study examined attitudes towards ICTs, the use of specific technologies and their relationship with eudaimonic psychological well-being (PWB) in emerging adults. 204 emerging adults (mean age 21.61, SD = 2.99; range 19-30; female 85 (49%), male 108; (56%) participated in the research. The use of specific information technologies is positively associated with the possession of attitudes favorable to them, and with different components of eudaimonic psychological well-being. The use of emails is positively linked to greater global eudaimonic well-being, a greater sense of personal growth, the presence of numerous life projects and satisfactory social relations. The use of predominantly iconic systems such as Instagram appears instead linked to a lower perceived autonomy, Se rèfèrant aux hypothèses thèoriques de la technologie positive, l’ètude a examine les attitudes à l’egard des TIC, l’utilisation de technologies spècifiques et leur relation avec le bien-ètre psychologique eudaimonique. 204 adultes èmergents (âge moyen 21,61, DS = 2,99; plage 19-30; femme 85, homme 108) ont participè à la recherché. l’utilisation de technologies de l’information spècifiques est associée positivement à la possession d’attitudes qui leur sont favorables, et a différentes composantes du bien-être psychologique eidaimonique. l’utilisation des emails est liée positivement à un plus grand bien-être global, à un plus grand sens du développement personnel, à la présence de nombreux projects de vie et à des relations satisfaisantes. l’utilisation de systèmes à prédominance iconique tels qu’Instagram apparaît plutôt liée a une autonomie perçue plus faible, Referindo-se aos pressupostos teóricos da Tecnologia Positiva, o estudo examinou as atitudes em relação às TIC, o uso de tecnologias específicas e sua relação com o bem-estar psicológico eudemônico (PWB) em adultos emergentes. 204 adultos emergentes (idade média 21,61, DP = 2,99; faixa 19-30; feminina 85 masculina 108 participaram da pesquisa. O uso de tecnologias de informação específicas está positivamente associado à posse de atitudes favoráveis a eles e a diferentes componentes do bem-estar psicológico eudaimônico. O uso de e-mails está positivamente ligado a um maior bem-estar global eudaimônico, um maior senso de crescimento pessoal, a presença de inúmeros projetos de vida e relações sociais satisfatórias. O uso de sistemas predominantemente icônicos, como o Instagram, aparece ligado a uma menor autonomia percebida, Refiriéndose a los supuestos teóricos de la Tecnología Positiva, el estudio examinó las actitudes hacia las TIC, el uso de tecnologías específicas y su relación con el bienestar psicológico eudaimónico (PWB). 204 adultos emergentes (edad promedio 21.61, DE = 2.99; rango 19-30; mujer 85, hombre 108) participaron en la investigación. El uso de tecnologías de la información específicas se asocia positivamente con la posesión de actitudes favorables para ellos y con diferentes componentes del bienestar psicológico eudaimónico. El uso de correos electrónicos está positivamente relacionado con un mayor bienestar eudaimónico global, un mayor sentido de crecimiento personal, la presencia de numerosos proyectos de vida y relaciones sociales satisfactorias. El uso de sistemas predominantemente icónicos como Instagram aparece, en cambio, vinculado a una menor autonomía percibida.

Over the past two years, the consequences of the severe restrictions imposed by the rapid spread of COVID-19 among the global population have been a central focus of scientific research. The pandemic has been a singular and unexpected event that found people unprepared and vulnerable in responding to its emergence, resulting in substantial psychological distress. Scientific evidence has highlighted that adolescents and emerging adults have been among those populations at greatest risk of adverse psychological outcomes, even in the long term. In particular, more than one-third of young adults reported high levels of loneliness, and nearly half of 18- to 24-year-olds felt lonely during the pandemic, experiencing both psychological and emotional distress. The lockdown, the consequent suspension of face-to-face academic activities and the severe restriction of social life have disrupted the daily routines of students already involved in coping with developmental tasks related to identity formation and the relational experience. Under such conditions, emotions and emotional regulation skills are crucial in adapting behavior to reach academic goals and face mounting levels of distress. Therefore, several studies have investigated resilience mechanisms and coping strategies of emerging adults during the pandemic. The present study focuses on university students and explores the impact of resilience and emotional regulation on adverse psychological outcomes related to persistent distress conditions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Students were administered a self-report assessment battery through an online platform at the beginning (T0) and the end of the lockdown (T1). A structural equation model (SEM) was used to explore the relationship between resilience, emotional regulation difficulties and psychological distress (depression, anxiety and stress). The findings indicate that psychological resilience and emotion regulation are protective factors that buffer the ex

Up to one in five emerging adults engage in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Providing a better understanding of factors that differentiate between who engages in lifetime NSSI and who is more likely to engage in recent and clinically severe NSSI can provide meaningful information for prevention and intervention of NSSI. The present study (n = 669) considered NSSI lifetime engagement (no prior history of NSSI vs. lifetime NSSI), recency [past NSSI (>12 months ago) vs. recent (≤12-month) NSSI], and clinical severity among those with recent NSSI (subthreshold vs. DSM-5 NSSI disorder). The prevalence of NSSI disorder was 8.4% in emerging adults aged 18 to 26 years old. Higher anxiety levels were related to NSSI engagement, but only depressive symptoms and NSSI versatility were consistently associated with more recent NSSI and NSSI disorder. A stepped-care approach may be required in addressing NSSI among emerging adults.

This study aims to understand how and why emerging adults come into contact with food media messages, and what they perceive as positive and negative outcomes related to food literacy. Seven focus groups, stratified by gender and socio-economic status, with 37 emerging adults aged between 18 and 25 were conducted. Photovoice was used to reflect on participants’ real-life food media experiences. Findings reveal that food media consumption is a combination of actively searching and incidentally encountering. The results suggest that food media messages attract emerging adults’ attention by bringing content in an entertaining, engaging, and appealing way, and featuring popular food personalities. Finally, food media messages were perceived to both enhance and distort food literacy. The results show how food media messages for food literacy interventions can be designed in order to attract emerging adults’ attention and fulfill their specific needs.

Masterarbeit Universität Innsbruck 2023

Grief is a complex experience without a specific endpoint. It follows a unique path for each person. Many support sources are available, but finding support that fits is difficult. This inspired Verening Leven met Dood to develop the Rouw Wegwijzer, an online platform that provides personalised grief support. The focus of this thesis is to develop the platform from a user-centred perspective, specifically focusing on emerging adults who have lost a parent while not residing at home, a demographic for whom grief can wield a disruptive, life-altering impact. The idea that grief has a set route and an end status of acceptance is a persistent, untrue belief in society. This shapes how bereaved think about their grief, how they are supported and what they expect from support. Contrary to this misconception, grief does not have a definitive end-point; rather, it involves a gradual and evolving understanding of the loss. Effective grief support refrains from attempting to “fix” grief but rather acknowledges the bereaved and their experiences. Conversely, unhelpful support consists of offering unsolicited or paternalistic advice and attempting to solve the grief, approaches that contradict acknowledgement. In this thesis, several research and design activities have been conducted to understand what grief is and what kind of support is considered supportive. Additionally, co-designing activities with the target group were conducted to find out what services are desirable for an online grief platform and how the interaction with the platform should be. It was identified that grief support can have many forms, but usually is shaped as conversations or text. However, talking about grief can be difficult, due to the topic being taboo, making the bereaved untrained in expressing themselves and their needs. Generative sessions with the target group revealed “Recognition” as a promising design direction. Bereaved can expand their emotional vocab, Design for Interaction

Some of God’s most prominent spiritual leaders are characterized by their deep intergenerational connections. People like Moses and Joshua, Elijah and Elisha, Paul and Timothy, and Jesus and John exemplify it. In this study, “intergenerational” means creating opportunities for intentional dialogue and interaction cross-generationally to foster mentoring and biblical discipleship. This research aims to create an intergenerational model of ministry that will encourage churches to embrace intergenerational discipleship concepts. It is not uncommon for church ministry to seem like silos, with people compartmentalized according to age or phases of life. Silo ministry can hinder individuals from forming generational relationships. Unfortunately, churches have been taught to create learning environments based on age segregation. This conventional way of thinking faces the danger of members behaving more like strangers and less like the family of God. Therefore, this action research thesis seeks to prove that if spiritual socialization is mediated by biblical discipleship throughout generations, a biblically balanced ministry will result. The study involves developing a hybrid model incorporating the most effective aspects of Sunday school and small group settings. This study focuses on altering the format of Sunday school to incorporate participants aged 18 and above in a discipleship class environment. Classes are created where students in these age groups will engage in an intergenerational discipleship environment for learning. Each class term lasts ten weeks, after which new classes will begin. Class rotation allows for meeting new people across generations. Qualitative data were collected from a survey of participants. In addition, a focus group of no more gathered to discuss intergenerational and conventional age-segregated ministries. Furthermore, qualitative data were derived from the researcher’s observation field notes of class time and focus group.

Never in Spain’s history have sexual minorities enjoyed the current rights. However, LGBTIphobic rhetoric displayed by extreme-right activism threats the gains made. An online survey among LGBTI+ people between 16 and 29 years was conducted. 152 people answered. Results show that Spanish LGBTI+ youth is mostly prone to activism, they were quite informed about legal initiatives and they mostly think that LGBTI+ people continue to suffer discrimination, the group of friends and peers appears to be the safest context and teachers seem to fail on the duty of help LGBTI+ young people. Additionally, LGBTI+ young people often use inclusive language, especially in casual context, and they seek referents in social media, where they follow influencers who openly declared themselves part of the LGBTI+ collective. The study serves as an example of the changing cultural and political practices of non-cis-hetero youth in a society moving fast towards equality but attending the raising of regressive movements.

Previous studies on emerging adults have shown that prolonged distress related to the perceived discrepancy between ideal and current self reflects less adaptive emotional regulation and might lead to elevated depressiveness. Moreover, confidence in their ability to mitigate this discrepancy is considered an important mediator. We wondered if differentiation of self (a measure of self’s maturity, i.e., capability to distinguish between intellectual and emotional processes behind personal experiences) underlies this experience of discrepancy. Our research aimed to explore how self-differentiation could predict depressiveness if mediated through discrepancy distress, anxiety, and confidence to change. Participants were 364 emerging adults (18.7% male) aged 18 30 (M = 21.44, SD = 2.36). The level of self-differentiation (SD) was obtained via Differentiation of the Self Inventory (46 items, Likert 1-6), while depression (DEP) and anxiety (ANX) scores came from Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (42 items, Likert 0-3). Participants also completed the Self Discrepancies Scale, estimating (Likert 1-7) how big they find the discrepancies between their ideal and current self, how much distress this causes (DIS) them, and how confident they feel to achieve the aforementioned ideal (CONF). We conducted the Hayes PROCESS analysis. The results showed that variables fit best model 81. Two simple and sequential mediations were confirmed: 1. SD – ANX – DEP (ab = -.07, SE =.01, CI [-.09, -.05]); 2. SD – CONF – DEP (ef = -.01, SE = .00, CI [-.02, -.00]); 3. SD – DIS – ANX – DEP (cgb = -.01, SE = .00, CI [-.02, -.00]); 4. SD – DIS – CONF – DEP (chf = -.01, SE = .00, CI [-.02, -.01]). The only insignificant effect was the one between distress and depression; the whole model explained more than half of depression variance (R2 = 0.57, p < .00). These results show that better self-differentiation predicts lower levels of depressiveness (and vice versa) directly and through different mediatio

Psychopathic traits are often investigated within the individual, while most traits come to expression within the interpersonal context. Low social communion might even be an important overlooked core feature of psychopathy. This raises the question how psychopathic (i.e., Grandiose-Manipulative, Callous-Unemotional, and Irresponsible-Impulsive) traits affect the tendency to show prosocial behavior, and whether peer problems explain this relationship. Besides, the effects of gender on these subrelations are explored. In total, 541 community adolescents and emerging adults (26.4 % men; 16-25 years old, M age = 21.7, SD age = 2.50) completed questionnaires, measuring psychopathic traits, prosocial behavior, and peer problems. The relationship between psychopathic traits and prosocial behavior was investigated with three separate moderated mediation regression analyses (for Grandiose-Manipulative, Callous-Unemotional, and Impulsive-Irresponsible traits separately) including peer problems as mediator and gender as moderator. Significant direct negative effects of Grandiose-Manipulative and Callous-Unemotional traits on prosocial behavior were found, though not for Impulsive-Irresponsible traits. Peer problems did not mediate this relation and gender was no moderator. The significant moderation effect indicated that only for women a significant direct positive effect of Callous-Unemotional traits on peer problems was found, but not for men nor other psychopathic traits. More gender differences were found with men (vs. women) scoring significantly higher on all three psychopathic traits and lower on prosocial behavior. Implications of psychopathic traits within the interpersonal context are discussed and future research could further investigate how this relationship can be explained, for example by including different types of measures and other potential mediators (e.g., empathy).

​This phenomenological study aims to understand the impact of social media and spiritual formation or faith development in young adults in the United States. The theory guiding this study is provided by theorists of identity and development, including Erik Erikson, James Marcia, and James Fowler (Verschueren, 2017). Specifically, Fowler identified a direct correlation between identity and faith development to more modern identity considerations and historical data relating to existentialism and other crises (Lamont, 2020). The data was collected from interviews with young adults to explore the impact of social media and faith among young adults. The interviews included thirteen questions that provided insight into the participants' lived experiences. Themes were developed utilizing the transcripts from audio recordings from the participant's interviews. The interviewees and expert reviewers accessed the transcripts and analysis for accuracy.

Introduction: Restrained, emotional and intuitive eating were examined in relation to each other and as correlates of participants' weight status, body image and self-esteem. In some past research, restrained and emotional eating have been associated with higher weight status and poorer mental health, while intuitive eating is more frequently linked to lower weight status and more positive well-being. However, these eating styles have rarely been examined together and never in a large cross-country sample. Method: Six-thousand two-hundred and seventy-two (6272) emerging adults (M age = 21.54 years, SD = 3.13) completed scales from the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire, the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire, the Intuitive Eating Scale-2, the Multidimensional Body Self Relations Questionnaire, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and provided weight and height information that was used to calculate body mass index (BMI). Participants resided in Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Italy, Japan, Spain and the United States and provided information using an online survey. Results: Path analyses for the entire sample revealed significant pathways between higher intuitive eating and higher body satisfaction and self-esteem, and lower BMIs among participants. Higher levels of restrained and emotional eating were associated with lower body satisfaction and self-esteem, and higher BMIs among participants. Minor cross-country differences were evident in these patterns of relations, but intuitive eating emerged as a consistent predictor across countries. Conclusion: Overall, findings suggest that efforts should be made to increase intuitive eating among emerging adults and to support individual and macrolevel interventions to decrease restrained and emotional eating behaviours.

Introduction: Restrained, emotional and intuitive eating were examined in relation to each other and as correlates of participants’ weight status, body image and self-esteem. In some past research, restrained and emotional eating have been associated with higher weight status and poorer mental health, while intuitive eating is more frequently linked to lower weight status and more positive well-being. However, these eating styles have rarely been examined together and never in a large cross-country sample. Method: Six-thousand two-hundred and seventy-two (6272) emerging adults (M age = 21.54 years, SD = 3.13) completed scales from the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire, the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire, the Intuitive Eating Scale-2, the Multidimensional Body Self Relations Questionnaire, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and provided weight and height information that was used to calculate body mass index (BMI). Participants resided in Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Italy, Japan, Spain and the United States and provided information using an online survey. Results: Path analyses for the entire sample revealed significant pathways between higher intuitive eating and higher body satisfaction and self-esteem, and lower BMIs among participants. Higher levels of restrained and emotional eating were associated with lower body satisfaction and self-esteem, and higher BMIs among participants. Minor cross-country differences were evident in these patterns of relations, but intuitive eating emerged as a consistent predictor across countries. Conclusion: Overall, findings suggest that efforts should be made to increase intuitive eating among emerging adults and to support individual and macrolevel interventions to decrease restrained and emotional eating behaviours.

The objectives of the study were to investigate the perceived effect of moral deficiency on antisocial and prosocial behaviors of emerging adults.  Along with the demographic sheet (comprising of 3 items: age, gender, and education), three scales: moral deficiency scale (consisting of 15 items), anti-social scale (consisting of 20 items), and prosocial behavior scale (consisting of 16 items) were adopted to develop the research instrument (questionnaire) to collect the required data. Reliability of the items was assessed by Cronbach’s Alpha. The reliability of the moral deficiency scale, anti-social scale, and prosocial scale were respectively, 0.9, 0.91, and 0.9. Targeted population for this research was consisted of 240 emerging adults enrolled in different educational institutes. Data were collected through applying multistage sampling technique. Descriptive analysis and tests of correlation, regression and t test was applied. Results highlighted that moral deficiency had negative weak impact on prosocial behavior. However, correlation coefficient between moral deficiency and anti-social behavior depicts showed strong positive relationship in emerging adults. There was not any noteworthy difference in moral deficiency between male and female. On the other hand, female adults possessed more prosocial behavior than male adults, while, male had more anti-social behaviors than female.

The objectives of the study were to investigate the perceived effect of moral deficiency on antisocial and prosocial behaviors of emerging adults.  Along with the demographic sheet (comprising of 3 items: age, gender, and education), three scales: moral deficiency scale (consisting of 15 items), anti-social scale (consisting of 20 items), and prosocial behavior scale (consisting of 16 items) were adopted to develop the research instrument (questionnaire) to collect the required data. Reliability of the items was assessed by Cronbach’s Alpha. The reliability of the moral deficiency scale, anti-social scale, and prosocial scale were respectively, 0.9, 0.91, and 0.9. Targeted population for this research was consisted of 240 emerging adults enrolled in different educational institutes. Data were collected through applying multistage sampling technique. Descriptive analysis and tests of correlation, regression and t test was applied. Results highlighted that moral deficiency had negative weak impact on prosocial behavior. However, correlation coefficient between moral deficiency and anti-social behavior depicts showed strong positive relationship in emerging adults. There was not any noteworthy difference in moral deficiency between male and female. On the other hand, female adults possessed more prosocial behavior than male adults, while, male had more anti-social behaviors than female.

The objectives of the study were to investigate the perceived effect of moral deficiency on antisocial and prosocial behaviors of emerging adults.  Along with the demographic sheet (comprising of 3 items: age, gender, and education), three scales: moral deficiency scale (consisting of 15 items), anti-social scale (consisting of 20 items), and prosocial behavior scale (consisting of 16 items) were adopted to develop the research instrument (questionnaire) to collect the required data. Reliability of the items was assessed by Cronbach’s Alpha. The reliability of the moral deficiency scale, anti-social scale, and prosocial scale were respectively, 0.9, 0.91, and 0.9. Targeted population for this research was consisted of 240 emerging adults enrolled in different educational institutes. Data were collected through applying multistage sampling technique. Descriptive analysis and tests of correlation, regression and t test was applied. Results highlighted that moral deficiency had negative weak impact on prosocial behavior. However, correlation coefficient between moral deficiency and anti-social behavior depicts showed strong positive relationship in emerging adults. There was not any noteworthy difference in moral deficiency between male and female. On the other hand, female adults possessed more prosocial behavior than male adults, while, male had more anti-social behaviors than female.

Background Savoring, that is the ability to create and increase positive emotions, represents a promising approach to enhance subjective well-being (SWB) in emerging adults. This controlled study aims to investigate the preliminary effects of a self-help e-savoring intervention on increasing savoring beliefs and strategies and SWB in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Forty-nine emerging adult participants were recruited using the snowball sampling method. The experimental group (n = 23) completed six online exercises (two exercises per week for three weeks) while the control group (n = 26) did not receive the intervention. Both groups filled out online questionnaires before and after the intervention. User experience and perceived usefulness of the intervention were assessed for the experimental group. Results A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant increase for the experimental group in savoring beliefs (especially toward the present and the future) and in positive emotions compared to the control group. The perspicuity, attractiveness, and efficiency of the online platform were very positively evaluated, and most participants rated the intervention as useful. Conclusions The results of this preliminary study together with the high level of adherence and the appreciation for the intervention indicate the potential of promoting online savoring and positive emotions in emerging adults. Future research could evaluate its long-term effects and verify its results with other age groups.

Doctor of Ministry (DMin), This project describes the creation of an emerging adult ministry at The Bridge Community Church located in Markham, Ontario in Canada. Its aim was to create a community where emerging adults could gather and experience the love of God. The ministry developed incorporates three distinct environments: social opportunities outside the church, fellowship within the church, and connection with God through corporate worship. The ministry challenge at the heart of this project is the emotional, mental, and physical stress caused by loneliness in emerging adults in Markham and the surrounding areas. Most emerging adults are coming out of middle adolescence feeling abandoned and lonely, and they enter late adolescence (emerging adulthood) with further potential disconnectedness. Connectedness in the world may come through commonalities such as work, school, hobbies, and for some, life stage (marriage, kids, etc.). As an alternative to how the world views community, this project seeks to build a community centered on Christ. Though the emerging adult stage is a transitional time, through the course of this project many have transitioned into adulthood while remaining connected to Christ and each other. The emerging adult ministry at The Bridge Community Church continues to exist to help emerging adults searching for connectedness in Christ. This doctoral project explores a vision of what a Christ-centered emerging adult community could be for Markham, and for surrounding cities in the Greater Toronto Area as well.

The COVID-19 pandemic severely altered the lives of people across the world. Although the social isolation and disruption wrought by the pandemic have been universal experiences, emerging adults are at a pivotal moment and are potentially uniquely affected. Emerging adulthood is a critical time for identity development and the college setting fosters an environment for identity exploration. Studies show that in emerging adulthood, turning point events (e.g., global or national tragedies, personal challenges, transitions, or any form of upheaval, such as a pandemic) that are resolved positively are connected more closely with progress in identity formation, and the importance of positive resolution of negative events appears to be unique to emerging adults. This study explored how emerging adults in college (N = 231) were processing the COVID-19 pandemic and whether identity was a factor that affected an individual’s perception of the pandemic. The results of the present study support the hypotheses that an emerging adult’s identity does affect their pandemic processing, as does a person’s political identity, and self-reported mental health. The study revealed that pandemic processing was significantly related to students’ identity, mental well-being, and political beliefs. This study informs practitioners of education, families, and students themselves about how identity affects reactions to adversity and how turning negative experiences into positive experiences can have long-term benefits on a person’s sense of self well-being beyond emerging adulthood.

Introduction: Restrained, emotional and intuitive eating were examined in relation to each other and as correlates of participants’ weight status, body image and self-esteem. In some past research, restrained and emotional eating have been associated with higher weight status and poorer mental health, while intuitive eating is more frequently linked to lower weight status and more positive well-being. However, these eating styles have rarely been examined together and never in a large cross-country sample. Method: Six-thousand two-hundred and seventy-two (6272) emerging adults (M age = 21.54 years, SD = 3.13) completed scales from the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire, the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire, the Intuitive Eating Scale-2, the Multidimensional Body Self Relations Questionnaire, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and provided weight and height information that was used to calculate body mass index (BMI). Participants resided in Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Italy, Japan, Spain and the United States and provided information using an online survey. Results: Path analyses for the entire sample revealed significant pathways between higher intuitive eating and higher body satisfaction and self-esteem, and lower BMIs among participants. Higher levels of restrained and emotional eating were associated with lower body satisfaction and self-esteem, and higher BMIs among participants. Minor cross-country differences were evident in these patterns of relations, but intuitive eating emerged as a consistent predictor across countries. Conclusion: Overall, findings suggest that efforts should be made to increase intuitive eating among emerging adults and to support individual and macrolevel interventions to decrease restrained and emotional eating behaviours.

Mental wellness is a critical component of healthy development and serves as a way to protect against stress and promote resilience against psychopathology. Emerging adulthood is an important time to foster mental wellness as individuals adjust to changing social roles, such as transitioning to college. Emotion regulation is a key mechanism for effective prevention because of its role in socio-emotional competence and its transdiagnostic significance for psychopathology. In this dissertation study, a brief, time and cost-effective emotion regulation training program for emerging adults (BERT) was developed and tested. Phase 1 focused on program development. Phase 2 utilized the brainwriting premortem method to refine program content. Undergraduate students (n = 12) attended four focus groups presenting initial program content. Four clinicians were also interviewed to determine program barriers. Qualitative analyses aggregated participant feedback to identify compliments, changes, and concerns about BERT in preparation for the pilot, and critical feedback was immediately implemented. In Phase 3, the 5-week program was pilot-tested in a college sample (N = 42) to evaluate Implementation (low attrition, high content engagement, favorable attitudes, low incidence of technical errors, costs), Reach (enrollment and completion demographics comparable to the population in which recruitment took place), and Efficacy (positive change in emotion regulation pre- to post-program). Twenty-seven participants completed at least 80% of program content. Chi-square analyses did not show any significant difference between participants who started the study and those who dropped out. Repeated measures ANOVAs exhibited significant improvements in emotion regulation, psychological distress, anxiety, stress, negative affectivity, and quality of life, suggesting promising initial efficacy. Development of BERT has high potential significance for promoting healthy development because the elec

Mental wellness is a critical component of healthy development in emerging adulthood and serves to protect against stress and promote resilience against psychopathology. Emotion regulation is a key mechanism for effective prevention because of its role in socio-emotional competence and its transdiagnostic significance for psychopathology. In this feasibility study, a brief, time and cost-effective emotion regulation training program for emerging adults (BERT) was developed and tested using the RE-AIM framework. Importantly, building interventions within the context of an implementation framework, such as the RE-AIM framework, enhances the chances that an intervention will be able to scale out and scale up. First, the brainwriting premortem method was utilized to refine program content, conducting focus groups a priori to identify potential program failures prior to program implementation. Undergraduate students (n = 12) attended four focus groups presenting initial program content. Four clinicians were also interviewed to determine program barriers. Qualitative analyses aggregated participant feedback to identify compliments, changes, and concerns about BERT and critical feedback was immediately implemented prior to initial testing. BERT was rooted in cognitive-behavioral practices and informed by the Gross model of emotion regulation. The 5-week program was then examined in a college sample (N = 42) to evaluate implementation (low attrition, high content engagement, favorable attitudes, low incidence of technical errors, costs), reach (enrollment and completion demographics comparable to the population in which recruitment took place), and efficacy (positive change in emotion regulation pre- to post-program). Of the recruited participants, 36 remained in the study where 27 completed at least 80% of program content. Repeated-measures ANOVAs exhibited significant improvements in emotion regulation, psychological distress, and negative affectivity, suggesting promisin

Objective: This paper presents a theory-based brief resilience scale, the Resilience Resources Scale (RRS), and evidence for its factor structure, reliability, and validity in two studies of undergraduate students. Participants: Study 1 sampled 295 students and Study 2 sampled 244 students. Methods: Study 1 participants completed the RRS and other measures online at one of two time points eight weeks apart (n = 193), or at both time points (n = 102). Study 2 participants completed the RRS and other measures online on a single occasion. Results: Factor analyses provided evidence for a one-factor model. Results indicated high internal consistency and strong test-retest reliability. Evidence of concurrent and predictive validity is presented. Conclusions: The RRS measures resilience resources known to be protective of physical and mental health. This brief scale has sound psychometric properties in these initial studies of undergraduate students. We offer possible directions for use of the RRS in this and other populations.