Relationships between problem behaviors, role changes in areas of work, love, and achievement of adult character qualities among emerging adults

Abstract

The goal of the current study is to evaluate the relationships between externalizing and internalizing problems, partner and work commitment, and the achievement of adult character qualities. A sample of 241 Lithuanian emerging adults participated in the study (mean age 22.22, SD = 2.91, 198 women, and 43 men). Participants filled an internet-based questionnaire which consisted of Arnett’s questionnaire on adulthood criteria, additional questions on achieving these criteria, and the Adult Self-report questionnaire which measures internalizing and externalizing problems. Both partner and work commitments were found to be negatively related to anxiety/depression problems, and commitment to work was positively related to intrusive behavior. Achievement of independence was negatively related to anxiety/depression and withdrawal problems. The effect of commitment to work and to partner on anxiety/depression and the effect of commitment to partner on withdrawal was suppressed when it was controlled for achieving independence. Commitment to work positively predicts a more intrusive behavior even when achieving adult character qualities is taken into account.