Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties.

作者：Jeffrey Jensen Arnett · 发表于：American Psychologist · 年份：2000 · DOI：10.1037/0003-066x.55.5.469 · 被引用次数：15840 · 研究领域：Identity, Memory, and Therapy、Psychological and Temporal Perspectives Research、Aging and Gerontology Research

Emerging adulthood is proposed as a new conception of development for the period from the late teens through the twenties, with a focus on ages 18-25. A theoretical background is presented. Then evidence is provided to support the idea that emerging adulthood is a distinct period demographically, subjectively, and in terms of identity explorations. How emerging adulthood differs from adolescence and young adulthood is explained. Finally, a cultural context for the idea of emerging adulthood is outlined, and it is specified that emerging adulthood exists only in cultures that allow young people a prolonged period of independent role exploration during the late teens and twenties.