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Pathways of Adaptation from Adolescence to Young Adulthood
Author(s) -
OBRADOVIĆ JELENA,
BURT KEITH B.,
MASTEN ANN S.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1196/annals.1376.046
Subject(s) - longitudinal study , developmental psychology , psychological resilience , psychology , early adulthood , competence (human resources) , late childhood , adaptation (eye) , young adult , adolescent development , adaptive functioning , early childhood , medicine , social psychology , pathology , neuroscience
This study examines longitudinal change using a person‐centered approach to differentiate patterns of adaptive functioning from adolescence to adulthood. Data are drawn from a 20‐year longitudinal study of competence and resilience in the lives of 205 school children (29% minority). Results indicate five distinct pathways of adaptation: (1) low‐declining, (2) low‐improving, (3) middle‐improving, (4) middle‐declining, and (5) consistently high. The study also compares the five groups on childhood risks and resources, and on longitudinal assessment of competence and adversity. Interestingly, the most dramatic changes in pathways of adaptation occur during the period of emerging adulthood.