A large national sample of adults ages 18–60 was surveyed on features proposed in the theory of emerging adulthood, including identity explorations, self-focus, feeling in-between, instability, and possibilities/optimism. Additional items were included on feeling that this time of life is a time of freedom and a time that is fun and exciting and on feelings of anxiety and depression. Emerging adults (ages 18–25) were more likely to endorse nearly all the items proposed in the theory of emerging adulthood, yet a surprisingly high proportion of adults in the older age groups (26–29, 30–39, and 40–60) also agreed that the items apply to their current time of life. Thus, the results indicate that the features proposed in the theory of emerging adulthood are more likely to be found among 18- to 25-year-olds than among people in older age groups, but they may not be as distinctive to emerging adulthood as the theory predicted.

Emerging adulthood is marked by important decisions about life choices. These life choices have their roots in sociocultural and historical contexts. The present study used a mixed methodology, concept mapping, to understand the tasks that are deemed as important by emerging adults in India. Study 1 comprised five focus group discussions with individuals between 18 and 29 years ( N = 40, M age = 23) providing insights on the range of life choices. Study 2 ( N = 60, M age = 23) incorporated rating and sorting methodologies to derive cluster maps. Eight clusters emerged. In order of importance: responsibility toward family, independence/autonomy, financial security, education/career, parental expectations, romantic relationships, community and faith, and societal norms. Influences on decision-making of these life choices included self, others, circumstantial, and external. Findings have implications for adaptation to social change and overall well-being in emerging adulthood.

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