Working status and perception of adulthood: a comparison between Italian and Dutch emerging adults

Abstract

Abstract:The purpose of this study was (a) to identify the criteria Italian and Dutch emerging adults consider important to achieve adulthood; (b) to compare Italian emerging adults' criteria with the criteria espoused by Dutch emerging adults; and (c) to examine how these criteria might differ on the basis of the working status (temporary job contract vs. permanent job contract) of the participants. Participants included 111 Italian (M age = 25) and 151 Dutch (M age = 22) university working students. Results revealed that (a) on average, Italian and Dutch emerging adults agreed upon the same order of importance for the criteria of adulthood presented to them; (b) Italian participants, more than Dutch participants, considered particularly important for defining the adult status the criteria related to family capacities; and (c) taking into account the working status of the participants, the answers differed only approaching significance. These findings have important implications for future research as they evidence that emerging adults experience their path to adulthood differently depending on their nationality. Specifically, the main contribution of this study is to have tested such hypotheses in a cross-national manner where contextual and individual differences are both taken into account. Oddelek za psihologijo, Laboratorij za razvojno psihologijo, Univerza v Torinu, Italija 2 Center za razvojne raziskave, Šola za pravo, psihologijo in socialno delo, Univerza v Örebru, Švedska Povzetek: Namen pričujoče raziskave je bil (a) v identifikaciji kriterijev, ki jih italijanski in nizozemski mladi odrasli dojemajo kot pomembne za doseganje odraslosti; (b) v primerjavi italijanskih kriterijev mladih odraslih s tistimi od nizozemskih; (c) v proučevanju tega, kako so ti kriteriji povezani z zaposlitvenim statusom (začasno delovno razmerje proti stalnemu delovnemu razmerju). Udeleženci so bili italijanski (M = 25 let) in nizozemski (M = 22 let) študenti v delovnem razmerju. Rezultati so pokazali, da (a) se v povprečju italijanski in nizozemski mladi odrasli strinjajo o pomembnosti kriterijev za doseganje odraslosti; (b) so italijanski mladi odrasli, v primerjavi z nizozemskimi, večjo pomembnost pripisovali kriterijem, ki so povezani z zmožnostjo ustvarjanja družine; (c) da so razlike v povezavi z zaposlitvenim statusom bile zgolj na meji statistične pomembnosti. Dobljeni rezultati imajo pomembne implikacije za prihodnje študije, saj dokazujejo, da mladi odrasli različno dojemajo kriterije za doseganje odraslosti v odvisnosti od narodnosti. Natančneje je glavni doprinos raziskave v preverjanju naših domnev v dveh državah, kjer smo hkrati upoštevali tako kontekstualne kot individualne razlike.Ključne besede: prehod v odraslost, merila odraslosti, zaposlitveni status, Italija, Nizozemska

North/south differences among Italian emerging adults regarding criteria deemed important for adulthood and life satisfaction

“…Correlations among subscales regarding criteria for adulthood were small to moderate in magnitude (ranging from r = .20, p < .01 to r = .60, p < .01) confirming that these domains in which adult status is expected to be demonstrated, reflect different facets or markers of adulthood. Similar results were obtained in previous studies (e.g., Piumatti et al, 2013; Petrogiannis, 2011). The correlation between life satisfaction and education satisfaction was equal to .22, p < .01, confirming that these constructs were describing different facets of satisfaction.…”

“…Thus, following the theory of emerging adulthood, positively adjusted emerging adults are in the process of becoming less self-oriented and ready to commit themselves to enduring relationships with others by showing a predisposition to be involved in relations and maintaining a strong focus on their actions and goals (e.g., Arnett, 2003; Isaacs, Soglian, & Hoffman, 2015; Nelson & Padilla-Walker, 2013). The transition towards the endorsement of other-related criteria for adulthood would take place with ageing, earlier for females than for males, and with the increasing experiencing of independent living conditions, a certain degree of economic self-subsistence and long term relationships (e.g., Cheah, Trinder, & Gokavi, 2010; Kins & Beyers, 2010; Lanz & Tagliabue, 2007; Nelson & Barry, 2005; Piumatti, Giannotta, Roggero, & Rabaglietti, 2013). Concurrently, mainly transition-linked increases (e.g., leaving the parental home, finishing education, getting a job) may contribute to the endorsement of certain criteria (e.g., family responsibilities when getting married, interdependence when starting a new relationship, independence when getting a job) and accompany increases in psychological well-being such as positive life-satisfaction (Galambos, Barker, & Krahn, 2006; Galambos & Krahn, 2008; Kins & Beyers, 2010).…”

Problem‐Solving Orientations, Financial Self‐Efficacy, and Student‐Loan Repayment Stress

“…In the past, a majority of young adults would have married by their mid‐20s and formed families (Furstenberg Jr. ; Surra et al ). However, over the past few decades, a statistical shift has been developing, as more and more young adults have postponed these and other life goals, often until their late 20s or their 30s (Eliason, Mortimer, and Vuolo ; Piumatti et al ). In the United States, many young adults continue to rely on parents well into their third decade of life, not only for emotional but also for financial support (Fingerman et al ).…”

The Development and Initial Validation of a Self-Report Job Precariousness Scale Suitable for Use With Young Adults Who Study and Work

“…In Canada, final year high school students (18-year-olds) expressed concern about the effects of the growing level of precarious employment on their education, believing that they needed to put more effort into their schooling in order to secure satisfying work (Lowe & Krahn, 2000). On the other hand, Piumatti et al (2013) found no differences between working students (Dutch and Italian) who had temporary job contracts (i.e., the precarious group) and those with permanent jobs on measures of criteria for adulthood (e.g., perceived capacity to purchase a house when an adult). In the United States, Kim et al (2009) found that, for university students working in the retail sector, more negative perceptions of job characteristics were related directly to less job satisfaction and work involvement and related indirectly (via lower job satisfaction) to a reduced intention to seek a career in retail, indicating that precarious employment was related to work attitudes, current functioning, and future work plans.…”