Emerging adulthood in Australia: an exploration of diverse psychosocial profiles

Emerging adulthood, the period bridging adolescence and young adulthood, was examined for 323 Australian university educated 20-29 year olds via an online questionnaire. Six groups with differing profiles on the dimensions of emerging adulthood were identified using a clustering procedure. The six groups, labelled Emerging Adults, Idealist Achievers, Adults, Calm Carers, Foreclosed, and Conflicted Diffused, were then compared for differences in their identity formation, life goals and obstacles, loneliness, psychological distress and well being, and reckless behaviour. Implications for the counselling of young people during this life stage are considered with reference to diversity in the transition to adulthood.