19 - Emerging Adulthood Psychosocial Development

1. 19 - Emerging Adulthood Psychosocial Development Ages 18 - 25

3. Continuity and Change

4. Identity • Still seeking who they are

5. Erikson • Intimacy vs. Isolation • 6th. Stage

6. Identity • Ethnic identity • Vocational identity

7. Intimacy

8. Intimacy • Intimacy and friendships defend against stress • Intimacy progresses from attraction – close connection – commitment • Several paths to intimacy, not just marriage and parenthood

9. Gender influence on intimacy • Men = Share activities and interests • Not failures and emotional problems • Women = Share secrets, weaknesses & problems • Expect sympathy

10. 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

11. 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

12. Relationship Patterns

13. Hookups without commitment • Sexual encounter without intimacy nor commitment • Less likely if a serious relationship is desired • Prefer to get to know them first

14. 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

15. What makes relationships succeed?

16. 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

17. Factors leading to improvement in relationships • Good communication • Financial security • End of addiction or illness

18. Children • Children are an added stress • Particularly during adolescence

19. 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

20. Conflict

21. Learning to listen • Demand withdraw interaction • Women – Want to talk (demanding) • Men – Don’t want to talk (withdraw)

22. Intimate partner violence • Emerging adults experience more violence than over 25 years old • Alcohol and drugs increase severity of violence

23. 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

24. 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.