Timing of Adult Transitions

Abstract

Regarding the differences in timing of adult transitions (i.e., completion of education, full-time employment, having an intimate relationship, having a child) and their relation to childhood antecedents and adulthood psychological functioning, 282 participants were examined. The study was based on the ongoing Finnish Jyväskylä Longitudinal Study of Personality and Social Development in which the same individuals have been followed from age 8 to mid-adulthood. Three groups were formed: On-Time Transitions (all transitions by age 27), Late Transitions (at least one transition after age 27), and Partial Transitions (not all transitions at age 42). Participants with all transitions (On-Time or Late) were socially more active in childhood than participants with partial transitions. Furthermore, participants with on-time transitions were more likely females, and participants with late transitions came more likely from high SES families than participants with partial transitions. Regarding psychological functioning, the participants with all transitions reported higher psychological well-being and self-esteem at ages 36 and 42, and higher life satisfaction at age 42 than participants with partial transitions. Furthermore, participants with on-time transitions showed higher life satisfaction at ages 27 and 36 than participants with late transitions, but by age 42 the difference leveled off.