The Role of Age, University Attendance and Other Demographic Factors in Experiencing Emerging Adulthood

Abstract

There is an ongoing debate about the importance of university attendance, age, life transitions and other demographic factors on experiencing the emerging adulthood. The present study aims to explore the effect of demographics (age, college attendance, subjective economic status, financial independence, living conditions, relationship status or having a child) on the emerging adulthood. Slovak adults ( N = 800), between 18 to 29 years old, reported their demographics and completed the Inventory of dimensions of emerging adulthood. The results showed slight differences between those who attended university and those who did not - mainly in experimentation, however, both groups experienced the features of emerging adulthood. Age makes a greater difference, which might be connected to parenthood, relationship status and living conditions.