Variations in Patterns of Developmental Transitions in the Emerging Adulthood Period.

Examined autonomy and individuation levels within financial, residential, romantic, and family formation domains among 17- to 27-year-olds in a community-based longitudinal study. Found that subgroup differences related to family socioeconomic status, parental divorce, gender, or race were not generally attributable to educational enrollment. Both within and between domains, many individuals showed dramatic changes in assumption of adult roles, returning to more dependent, other-determined roles for short or extended periods. (Author/KB)