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Predictors of Expectations for the Future Among Young Korean Adults

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study explored psychosocial factors related to young adults' expectations for the future and verified a model that can predict these expectations using psychosocial factors and demographic profiles to provide useful information for further studies and interventions. The participants were 371 Korean adults aged 20-39 years. The predictive models were examined using stepwise regression and decision tree analyses. The results revealed that stress, depression, gratitude, hardiness, interpersonal competence, and social support were significantly correlated with expectations for the future among young adults. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that commitment, reflecting a sense of purpose, and engagement in life accounted for the greatest variance in expectations for the future. Commitment, gratitude, self-directedness, depression, and the presence of disease accounted for approximately 66.7% of the variance in expectations for the future in young adulthood. The decision tree analysis identified commitment as the most important predictor, followed by gratitude, stress, self-directedness, empathy, perceived health, and marital status, showing how these factors are associated with shaping future expectations. These findings suggest that psychological variables such as commitment and gratitude may play a more important role in young adults' expectations of their future than health or marital status.

Source: Behavioral Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/bs15030391

Authors: Jae-Sun An, Kyung-Hyun Suh

Institution: Sahmyook University

Language: English

Topic: Psychological and Temporal Perspectives Research

Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,654