NCJ Number
223827
Journal
Journal of Adolescence Volume: 31 Issue: 4 Dated: August 2008 Pages: 451-467
Date Published
August 2008
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study examined how emerging adults' engagement in positive behaviors (i.e., prosocial tendencies, internalization of values, religiosity) varied as a function of identity status and gender.
Abstract
Study findings were that identity-diffused emerging adults were less likely to report high levels of prosocial tendencies, internalization of values, and religiosity, whereas identity-achieved emerging adults reported the highest levels on these variables. Findings also suggest that emerging adulthood, for many individuals, is not only a time of exploring risk behaviors, it is also time to explore positive tendencies, values, and beliefs. Young women scored higher than young men on all levels of internalization of values, as well as on self-reported religiosity. It is suggested that future research be longitudinal to determine differentiating features of those who are identity-diffused in their early years of emerging adulthood, but who reached identity achievement by the end of the time period, from emerging adults who persist in their identity-diffused state. Participants were 491 undergraduate and graduate students (282 women, 209 men) recruited from 5 college sites from across the country. They were drawn from a study of emerging adults and their parents entitled “Project READY” (Researching Emerging Adults’ Developmental Years). Tables, references