Dimensions of emerging adulthood and identity distress

Abstract

Emerging adulthood is characterized by a psychosocial moratorium up to 30 years of age, and the psychosocial moratorium implies a crisis or identity distress. We are interested in the possible correlations between the dimensions of emerging adulthood and the identity distress and their mediation through processes of self-reflection. The study involved 202 persons aged 17-30 years. An Inventory for the study of the Dimensions of Emerging adulthood (IDEA), Identity Distress Measurement Scale (IDM), and Reflection-Rumination Questionnaire (RRQ) were used. The results revealed that there was a direct correlation between the general level of discomfort and the negativity/ instability and a backward correlation between career choices and the feeling of "in between". Negativity/ instability was a predictor of both greater experiences of general discomfort and a longer experience of identity distress. Separation from parents was also a predictor of experiencing a higher overall level of general discomfort, and working (parallel to education) was a predictor of a longer experience of identity distress. Rumination was a mediator in the relationship between the dimension of negativity / instability and the duration of experienced distress.