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Adolescents becoming adults: attributes for adulthood
S D Scheer1, D G Unger, M B Brown
1State Extension Specialist 4-H Youth Development, Department of Agricultural Education, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210, USA.
Adolescence
|April 1, 1996
Summary
Most adolescents consider cognitive factors, like decision-making, as key to adulthood, not just life events. Those who felt adult at younger ages reported higher self-esteem.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Traditional research on adulthood onset focuses on life events (marriage, career).
- Cognitive factors (self-reliance, decision-making) are often overlooked in defining adulthood.
- This study integrates both event-related and cognitive perspectives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate adolescents' perceptions of adulthood attributes and age of onset.
- To explore the relationship between perceived adulthood age, cognitive factors, and self-esteem.
- To examine the implications for life adjustment.
Main Methods:
- Survey administered to 113 adolescents (mean age 16.5 years).
- Participants identified key attributes for adulthood and their perceived age of onset.
- Statistical analyses examined relationships between variables.
Main Results:
- Adolescents perceived adult status beginning at a mean age of 17.4 years.
- 78.8% of adolescents considered themselves adults.
- Cognitive factors were predominantly cited as indicators of adulthood.
- Perceiving adulthood onset at younger ages correlated with higher self-esteem.
Conclusions:
- Adolescents emphasize cognitive maturity over life events in defining adulthood.
- Early perception of adulthood is linked to positive self-esteem.
- Findings have implications for understanding adolescent adjustment and development.
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