Year: 2010
Type: article
Abstract: This thesis explores the nature, development, and correlates of positive development over the transition to adulthood.Recently, calls have been made for a greater focus on successful functioning over the life span.The positive development framework, which in general terms refers to the positive aspects of human behaviour and to successful developmental outcomes, seeks to address these calls and provides a framework for understanding pathways towards adaptive functioning.The potential for positive development is of particular relevance to the emerging adulthood period, as successful development during this period is likely to affect the degree to which young people become well-functioning adults with the capacity to successfully negotiate the tasks of adulthood.Emerging adulthood extends from the late teens to the early twenties and is defined by extensive role exploration, without clear normative expectations (Arnett, 2000a).It has been described as a window of opportunity for positive change in life course trajectories, but is also a period in which the incidence of risk behaviours and mental health problems is relatively high.The current study draws on data from the Australian Temperament Project (ATP), a large scale longitudinal community based study, which has followed the development of a cohort of Australian children from infancy to emerging adulthood.A robust multidimensional model of positive development in emerging adulthood has recently been developed using ATP data, that identifies five important domains of positive development at 19-20 years, including social competence, life satisfaction, trust and tolerance of others, trust in authorities and organisations, and civic action and engagement (M.Hawkins, Letcher, Sanson, Smart, & Toumbourou, 2009).Using this model, the current research aims to contribute to understanding of the nature of iii positive development and how the potential for positive development in all young people can be promoted.The research includes two studies.Study 1 examined factors that promote dimensions of positive development over the transition to adulthood, in order to identify potential targets for interventions.To this end, hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to investigate the contributions of individual, relational, and community level factors over childhood and adolescence to aspects of positive functioning.The findings suggested that positive development is facilitated by strong relationships with others and important institutions such as school, as well as the individual's capacity for effective self regulation, particularly during adolescence.These domains represent potential targets for interventions to promote positive development in emerging adulthood.Study 2 investigated the relationship between positive development and psychopathology.The current ambiguity around this relationship centres on two questions: 1) Are positive development and poor outcomes best conceptualised as separate constructs or poles of a single dimension?; and 2) If positive development and poor outcomes reflect separate constructs, what is the nature and strength of the relationship between them?The answers to these two questions have important implications for the development of models, theories, and interventions, including whether the same interventions can be expected to both promote positive development and reduce negative outcomes.Structural equation modelling was used to test competing conceptualisations of this relationship.The results suggested that positive development and psychopathology are distinct constructs that share a moderate relationship.Person centred cluster analyses identified four groups of young people sharing similar experiences of positive and problematic outcomes.These analyses indicated that the absence of psychopathology does not ensure the presence of iv positive functioning, and that distinct intervention strategies to address positive development and problem outcomes are therefore likely to be necessary.The two studies in this thesis contribute to understanding of the nature of positive development in emerging adulthood, including its boundaries with other important constructs such as psychopathology, and identify child and adolescent factors that may influence the course of positive development over this transition period.The results can thus help guide attempts to promote successful adaptation over this critically important period.
Author: Meredith O’Connor
Language: English
Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2741669709