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Types and Precipitants of Growth and Decline in Emerging Adulthood

University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada

Eva Still

University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada

Ian R. Newby-Clark

University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada

To further explore central developmental themes of emerging adulthood, the authors conducted a study that combines qualitative and quantitative data about the types of personal growth and decline reported by a sample of emerging adults, who also described the life events and other experiences that brought about these personal changes. After completing a 42-item inventory of types of growth and decline, participants wrote descriptions of the life events and other experiences to which they attributed these personal changes. At least 50% of the participants reported growth in the relating to others, new possibilities, and personal strength domains. Their descriptive accounts attributed the growth largely to eventful experiences associated with their recent transition to university and to events involving the participants’ close social networks. The discussion centers on the study’s contribution to our understanding of development in emerging adulthood.

Key Words: emerging adulthood • life events • posttraumatic growth

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