Young adults talk about their problems

Abstract

This study aims to explore how young adults in psychotherapy and young adults in general describe their problems and how their problem formulations change over time. Two matched samples from longitudinal prospective studies were compared using thematic analysis. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted at baseline, 1.5 years after termination of psychotherapy (N=12) in the clinical sample and 3 years after baseline in the non clinical sample (N=12). Inductive thematic analysis revealed six themes: problems associated with oneself, family, intimate relationships, sense of belonging, occupation, and social roles. The psychotherapy sample was characterized by problems with oneself closely related to other problematic areas, at both pre-treatment and at follow-up 1.5 years after termination, while problematic sense of belonging was a general theme only prior to psychotherapy. However, they were less troubled by their problems after psychotherapy. Problems with oneself decreased considerably in the non-clinical sample, while problems with intimate relationships were twice as frequent at follow-up. In the psychotherapy sample, the initial experience of being passively trapped within their problems was transformed into an experience of being an active agent in their own life. However, considerable differences between the psychotherapy sample and non-clinical sample still persisted at follow-up.

Effects of Group Psychotherapy on Young Adults’ Romantic and Career Functioning

“…This in turn led to an increased sense of independence and enhanced young people’s confidence to pursue romantic and career goals adaptively. These findings are in line with those of Jacobsson, Tysklind and Werbart (2011), who found that young adults in psychotherapy moved from an experience of feeling passively trapped within their problems to an experience of being active agents with a capacity for self-reflection. Thus, changes were achieved with regard to both psychological processes and behaviour.…”

Changes in Romantic Competence and Career Adaptability Among Emerging Adults in Psychotherapy

“…In addition, at the end of treatment, they were better able to search, and anticipated finding their work or career more meaningful, consistent with their wishes and abilities, and allowing more authentic self-expression. These findings are in line with Jacobsson, Tysklind, and Werbart (2011) who found that emerging adults in psychotherapy moved from an experience of feeling passively trapped in their problems to an experience of being active agents with a capacity for self-reflection. Previous studies with nonclient samples of emerging adults also highlighted the centrality of internal processes, such as flexibility and openness, to individuals' well-being above and beyond whether or not a person is employed (Shulman et al, 2014).…”

Negotiating a new day: parents' contributions to supporting students' school functioning after exposure to trauma

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