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

2000/01/01 by Jeffrey Jensen Arnett · 15,589 citations
Psychology · #Adolescent development #Adult development #Aging and Gerontology Research #Context (archaeology) #Developmental psychology #Early adulthood #History #Identity (music) #Identity, Memory, and Therapy #Life course approach #Period (music) #Psychological and Temporal Perspectives Research #Psychology #Young adult

paper · doi:10.1037/0003-066x.55.5.469

published in American Psychologist 55(5), 469-480 (American Psychological Association)

openalex publication_date 2000/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05

Abstract

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.

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