Adolescents becoming adults: attributes for adulthood

The research literature identifying the end of adolescence and the onset of adulthood has focused on event-related factors (e.g., marriage, occupation), while ignoring cognitive-related factors (e.g., responsibility for one's self and making decisions). This study addresses both realms. Adolescents (N = 113, M age = 16.5 years) were surveyed to determine what they believed were the most important attributes for becoming adults, and at what age their adulthood began. The sample perceived that adult status occurred at a mean age of 17.4 years (SD = 2.55) with 78.8% of the youth reporting that they were "adults." The majority of the sample identified cognitive factors as indicators of adulthood. Further analyses indicated that respondents who perceived that adulthood occurred at younger ages had higher levels of self-esteem. Implications of the consequences of adulthood attributes and beliefs for current and later life adjustment are discussed.