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Recent reviews underscored the need for a better link between different identity models in order to enhance our knowledge of identity development. In the present study, we used a mixed methodology design to investigate how the integration of process-oriented and narrative life-story approaches can be used to better understand the complexity of identity pursuits. Participants were 84 Romanian emerging adults (Mage= 23.24 years; SDage= 2.11 years, 72.6% female, 71.4% university students). Results showed significant differences in identity processes among emerging adults based on their levels of meaning-making. More specifically, in a stressful situation of disengaging from a personal important goal, emerging adults who derived more complex forms of meaning-making reported higher levels of ruminative exploration and lower levels of commitment making. By integrating these approaches of identity, the study nuances how meaning-making might be related to identity processes.

To understand the relation between financial behaviors and satisfaction in emerging adults (EAs) and parental financial socialization, we conducted a cross-sectional study focusing on families from a collectivistic, former communist country, Romania, a cultural context marked by extreme financial dependence of youth on their parents. Participants were 143 parent–EAs child dyads from Romania (83% mothers, Mage= 47.5 years and 80% girls, Mage= 20.7 years). Results showed significant relations between parents’ and EAs’ view on parental financial socialization. EAs’ healthy financial behaviors were predicted by previous healthy financial behaviors in parents and previous parental financial monitoring of spending habits, only as reported by EAs. Moreover, EAs’ financial satisfaction was predicted by high socioeconomic status, previous healthy financial behaviors in parents, and current healthy financial relationship with parents, only as reported by EAs. We discuss the implications for supporting healthy financial behaviors and satisfaction in EAs.

Identity development unfolds in different domains within a given cultural context. In the present study, we examined the relations among identity processes in future plans and goals and values domains, based on the dual-cycle model of identity development, and their association with adult and societal identity resolution. The sample for our study consisted of 288 Georgian young adults (39% male). Participants completed measures of identity exploration and commitment processes in the future plans/goals and values domains as well as measures of adult and societal identity resolution. Results based on between-domain correlations and mean-level differences indicated that identity processes in future plans/goals and value domains unfold differently in Georgian emerging adults. Associations of two domain identity processes with adult and societal identity resolution also revealed some differences. We attempt to explain these differences by referring to cultural context and age.

Cultural variability (CV) is a dynamic identity process by which individuals play up and play down their cultural identities from day to day. This study examines the phenomenology of CV in a unique group of tricultural Southeast Asian American (SEAA) emerging adults who identify with Asian American, White American, and hip hop cultures to understand how it is experienced, the reasons for its use, the extent to which it is conscious/agentic, and how three cultural identities are managed simultaneously. Interpretive phenomenological analyses reveal that CV was used consciously and involved making behavioral and cognitive changes to fit in with out-group members, educate others about SEAA culture, and to distance themselves from in-group members. Importantly, the centrality of SEAA identity most often remained stable despite playing up/down identities. Overall, findings suggest that CV is an essential identity negotiation strategy for tricultural emerging adults that is complementary to alternation/code-switching.

The process of identity formation can cause a considerable amount of distress leading to pathological forms of identity distress. The present study examined age trends in identity distress and associations with identity exploration and commitment in a sample of 2,286 Flemish adolescents and emerging adults (14–30 years, 55.7% females). Important and theoretically meaningful age trends in identity distress were uncovered. More specifically, identity distress demonstrated a curvilinear trend with the highest levels of distress occurring in emerging adulthood. Concerning the associations between identity distress and identity processes, we found differences among the age periods studied. Identity distress was especially positively related to exploration in breadth and negatively to commitment making in the late 20s, but less so in adolescence and the early 20s. In sum, these results provide important insights into identity distress throughout adolescence and emerging adulthood. Theoretical implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Becoming financially independent requires financial capabilities, such as capacities to control spending, and prior research suggests that identity may play a role in developing such capacities. This cross-sectional study sought to investigate how identity formation is related to spending self-control through the mediating role of self-regulatory identity functions. Participants were 481 Lithuanian students (40% employed; 57.8% women; Mage= 20.27, SDage= 1.39). Results revealed that general domain identity processes affected financial capabilities both directly and indirectly (through the mediation of identity functions). Specifically, the findings highlighted that (a) ruminative exploration may make individuals more vulnerable to impulsive buying, whereas exploration in depth can promote controlled spending (direct effects) and (b) exploration in breadth and identification with commitment may promote spending self-control by strengthening goal-setting capacities (indirect effects). In synthesis, this study contributes to the understanding of favorable and unfavorable implications of identity formation on financial capabilities in emerging adulthood.

This study examined how two individual differences—autistic traits and sense of purpose—predict perceptions of purpose development and adult status. Participants (N= 805, Mage= 25.42 years) were surveyed via Qualtrics Panels. While sense of purpose positively correlated with each purpose pathway and perceived adult status, autistic traits negatively related to each outcome. We then tested the unique and interactive effects of autistic traits and sense of purpose on pathway endorsement and perceived adult status while controlling for age. Autistic traits negatively predicted proactive and reactive pathway endorsement, but did not appear to predict social learning pathway endorsement or perceived adult status. Sense of purpose continued to positively predict all outcomes and did not appear to modify the effect of autistic traits on any outcome. These findings are discussed with an eye toward future research, especially with regard to the apparent accessibility of the social learning pathway.

A large national sample of adults ages 18–60 was surveyed on features proposed in the theory of emerging adulthood, including identity explorations, self-focus, feeling in-between, instability, and possibilities/optimism. Additional items were included on feeling that this time of life is a time of freedom and a time that is fun and exciting and on feelings of anxiety and depression. Emerging adults (ages 18–25) were more likely to endorse nearly all the items proposed in the theory of emerging adulthood, yet a surprisingly high proportion of adults in the older age groups (26–29, 30–39, and 40–60) also agreed that the items apply to their current time of life. Thus, the results indicate that the features proposed in the theory of emerging adulthood are more likely to be found among 18- to 25-year-olds than among people in older age groups, but they may not be as distinctive to emerging adulthood as the theory predicted.

Emerging adulthood provides an extended period during which potential career identities can be explored and feedback obtained before making a commitment. We tested an identity control theory model of the self-regulatory responses that emerging adults might make to negative feedback regarding their career identity. We surveyed 335 Australian emerging adults (mean age 19.28 years; 64% male) on negative career-related feedback, career-related goal discrepancy, career-related distress, career exploration, and identity defense. Consistent with theory, we found that more negative feedback was associated with greater perceived discrepancy between career goals and progress being made, which, in turn, was associated with greater distress. Distress was related to self-regulatory outcomes of identity defense and career exploration. The relationship was stronger for identity defense than for exploration. While defending might enable the current identity standard to be preserved, it might not be the most suitable response when the career goals are unsuitable or unobtainable.

Emerging adults, particularly university students, who are physically active, drink more than their less physically active peers. We extended this between-person relationship to the within-person level of analysis, by examining whether students are more likely to drink on days when they exercise, and whether this within-person association remains after controlling for potential confounding factors. We also explored the temporal sequence of the physical activity (PA)-alcohol use association. University students (N= 426) completed a 30-day online diary. The small positive within-person association between PA and alcohol use was not retained after controlling for day of the week. However, previous day’s drinking was inversely associated with next day’s PA on weekdays. These findings suggest that the previously reported positive PA-alcohol association does not necessarily align with the within-person daily association. Future studies with more nuanced measurement strategies, such as ecological momentary assessment, are needed to better understand the association between PA and alcohol use.

So far, there is a dearth of research comparing identity processes across cultures and its contributing factors. In this study, the association of individual and family factors with identity processes was analyzed in 2,113 emerging adults (M= 22.0 years; 66% female) from France, Germany, Greece, Peru, Pakistan, Poland, and Turkey. Exploration and commitment levels were highest in non-Western countries like Peru, Turkey, and Pakistan, whereas emerging adults in France scored lowest in exploration and commitment and reported highest levels in identity distress, internalizing/externalizing symptoms, and identity diffusion. Identity distress, coping with identity distress, parental behavior, and mental health were regressed on identity processes (exploration breadth/depth, commitment, and ruminative exploration). Distinctive patterns emerged; high identity distress, high identity diffusion, and high maternal anxious rearing in all countries were related to ruminative exploration. Findings were interpreted with a focus on universal and distinctive pathways in different countries in changing times.