Hey, Look Ma, I Made It! College, Emerging Adulthood Development, and Quality of Parental Relationships

Abstract

Emerging adulthood (EA) is a formative stage marked by exploration and transition (Arnett, 2004). This study examines how family dynamics affect the psychological development and self-concept of emerging adults. Focusing on the role of parental warmth and the effect of geographical proximity to parents, 192 university students provided data on their feelings toward EA, parental bonds, self-concept, and perceived familial support through self-report measures. Results indicated that parental warmth was associated with a positive self-concept and heightened identity exploration during EA. Strong parental trust and communication are associated with resilience and exploratory behaviors, whereas alienation from parents correlates with negative developmental outcomes. Contrary to expectations, physical proximity to parents did not significantly impact perceived familial warmth. These findings suggest that supportive family relationships are vital during EA and that parental alienation can impede personal growth.