Adult development as a lens: Applications of adult development theories in research.

Abstract

Adult development (AD) theories have a great potential for use in providing perspective and create new understanding of societal problems and challenges. The use of AD as a lens provides insights into people’s qualitative, different ways of thinking, talking, and acting. The theories are used by researchers and practitioners with various backgrounds in several different scientific domains. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of different approaches on how theories of AD are applied in research, with a focus on the potential of using it and how to eliminate the possibility of reproducing existing knowledge. The results consist of six approaches of how AD is currently presented and used in research: introductory work, creating and refining stages, making comparisons with established models, tracing the dynamics of promoting development, analysis of mismatches in adult life, and societal and organizational development. There are several promising avenues for future research by using a combination of these approaches as a way forward to promote the development of this scientific field.

Applying adult development theories to improvement science

“…More fundamentally, there seems to be poor awareness of the mental demands and need for capabilities that care and improvement work put on people, which is a prominent theme in adult development research (Kjellström and Stålne, 2017).…”

“…It provides research on systematic and qualitative changes following interaction with internal and external environments (Hoare, 2011). Adult development comprises several personality development theories and in recent decades, much empirical evidence has been assembled to support these theories (Kjellström and Stålne, 2017). Development in this field refers to sequential growth in consciousness complexity.…”

Transformational change by a post-conventional leader

“…Development at later stages of understanding entails more autonomy, more tolerance for difference and ambiguity, and more self-awareness (Kjellström and Stålne, 2017). People at higher stages of development and post-conventional action logics have access to positive and negative emotions and parts of oneself.…”

“…Nevertheless, research in the field of adult development indicates that post-conventional leaders with more complex ways of meaning making are more successful in driving change, in particular transformational change (Fisher and Torbert, 1991;Joiner and Josephs, 2007;Kjellström and Stålne, 2017;McCauley et al, 2006;Rooke and Torbert, 1998;Torbert et al, 2004;Vincent, 2015).…”

Adult Developmental Experiences of African American Doctoral Student Mothers: Illuminating Generativity Processes

“…Most development theorists posit that adulthood begins around age 20 and generally encompasses three distinct stages: early, middle, and late (Erikson, ; Kjellström & Stålne, ). The characteristics of each of these stages generally include the social and emotional aspects of aging, including social connectedness and the role of culture on individual development (Kjellström & Stålne, ). According to Erikson (), individuals need to have and continue to find meaning throughout their lives as they transition through each stage of development.…”