Building Bridges Between Arnett’s and Havighurst’s Theories: New Developmental Tasks in Emerging Adulthood Across Six Countries

Abstract

According to Arnett’s theory, emerging adulthood is a distinct developmental period. As Havighurst’s developmental theory suggests, specific tasks are assigned to different human life stages. The purpose of this study is to discover the developmental tasks of emerging adulthood. A sample of 129 students from diverse cultural backgrounds, including Spain, Portugal, Japan, Korea, Poland, and the USA, submitted reflective essays detailing their personal perceptions and the meaning of adulthood. Employing both directed and inductive analytical approaches, the study uncovered new developmental tasks such as social solidarity and openness to diversity, lifelong learning, development of thinking and knowledge, and building mental resilience. According to Havighurst, tasks were as follows: socially responsible behavior, emotional independence, getting started in an occupation, and managing a home. Comparative analysis revealed a predominance of tasks characteristic of adolescence compared to those indicative of adulthood and emerging adulthood.