Conceptions of Adulthood Among Chinese Emerging Adults

Abstract

With the in uence of globalization, Chinese young adults transitioning to adulthood today are cultivated by both traditional Chinese values (e.g., collectivism, Confucian philosophy), as well as Western values (e.g., individualism, independence). The present study aimed to characterize emerging adults' perception of adulthood in China today in terms of: (1) the criteria for adulthood Chinese emerging adults considered important; (2) the relationships between subjective importance of adulthood status and status as a student or nonstudent; (3) gender; and (4) residency status (rural vs urban). Chinese emerging adults aged 17 to 30 (N=7099; 69% college students; 54% female; 57% with rural residency status) completed a cross-sectional survey between October-November 2021. We found that most Chinese emerging adults feel ambivalent about their adulthood status. The ndings suggest that cultural and geographical differences exist between emerging Chinese and Western young adults in their perceptions of entering adulthood. Concerning the self-perceived adulthood status and the subjective importance of criteria, several differences were found among Chinese emerging adults based on gender (male vs female), residency status (rural vs urban) and educational status (student vs non-student).

Adaptation and validation of the university-to-work success scale among Chinese university graduates

“…Finally, despite acceptable theoretical and empirical evidence supporting the use of the scale in the current study, the reliability of the adult identity scale was not particularly high. Future studies may replicate the findings with the objective measurements for adulthood, such as the Makers of Adulthood scale, which has been applied in the Chinese context to cross-validate the current finding ( Kuang et al, 2023 ).…”

Adulthood status and its associations with stress and well‐being among Chinese emerging adults: A person‐centred approach

“…According to China's 2021 census, there are 316 million people aged 20–29 years. More than 70% of Chinese people aged 18–30 do not consider themselves to be adults (Kuang et al, 2023). This suggests that there may be a large number of emerging adults in China.…”

“…This percentage dropped to 25% in a 2013 survey (Nelson et al, 2013). A recent national survey of Chinese young people aged 18–30 showed that a large percentage do not see themselves as adults (84% of college students; 71% of non‐students) (Kuang et al, 2023). This suggests that emerging adulthood may be an increasingly prominent phenomenon in China.…”

“…to be adults (Kuang et al, 2023). This suggests that there may be a large number of emerging adults in China.…”

Recent Trend in the Prevalence and Correlates of Depression Among Chinese Young Adults from 2010 to 2018

“…Evidence supported that there may be significant differences in emerging adulthood in a culture that specifies structures roles and responsibilities to others (Arnett, 2000). As a result of globalization, Chinese young adults who transit to adulthood today are being exposed to a combination of traditional Chinese values such as collectivism and Confucian philosophy, as well as Western individualism (Kuang et al, 2023). In addition to independence, China young people generally believe that the benchmarks for adulthood include maintaining stable emotional regulation, going beyond egocentrism, showing more consideration and commitment to others, such as achieving financial independence and supporting parents, and avoiding behaviors that may tarnish the reputation of the family (Badger et al, 2006; Kuang et al, 2023; Nelson, 2004).…”