Mental Health & Emerging Adults
The research team at the Danielsen Institute is proud to announce the publication of its findings on mental health in emerging adults.
Abstract: Emerging adulthood seems to be a period of heightened risk for mental health symptoms, but also growth toward greater well-being. Mental health disorders are highest among adults aged 18-29, and yet, emerging adults are unlikely to access treatment. However, emerging adults can also experience gains in life satisfaction and interpersonal functioning, and mental health treatment for emerging adults tends to reduce symptoms. This dialectic of risk and growth has prompted a call for a specialty clinical practice focused on emerging adults, and highlights a need for treatment effectiveness research that examines symptoms and well-being. We examined the influence of risk variables on change in a sample of emerging adult clients (N = 187; Mage = 25.82; 62% female; 75.9% White). Results provided evidence of improvement, conditioned by risk variables. Implications included integrating distinct interventions to reduce symptoms and promote well-being, and addressing intra- and interpersonal processes associated with positive development.
Funding for this project came through a grant on Mental Healthcare, Virtue, and Human Flourishing from the John Templeton Foundation.