Finding a Meaningful Life as a Developmental Task in Emerging Adulthood

Abstract

Two central life domains, love and work, are described as the focus of identity exploration in emerging adulthood. The present theoretical overview suggests an additional perspective. Current postmodern processes in Western industrialized countries set the stage for the saliency of a new developmental task in emerging adulthood: finding the meaningful life. This task is enacted in various domains of life including love and work. The pursuit in either domain is different in diverse cultures that ascribe different levels of importance and allow different levels of autonomy in each domain. Thus, a given domain may be more or less salient as a source of meaning in life. The studies in this special issue accord with this new viewpoint even though they were not conceptualized from this perspective. Current research has just begun to examine the search for meaningful life in emerging adulthood. Research is therefore called for to address this lacuna.

Coping Strategies And Meaning Of Life Among Czech Adolescent Students

“…Such idea should include not only the cognitive experiences, but also ideas about gaining one's own independence (Erikson, 2002). Currently, the transition to adulthood is marked by greater individualization, social restrictions are no longer decisive, there are a number of different opportunities, and the process of identity formation is becoming loose; it is not clear what tasks young people should perform during this period (Mayseless, Keren, 2013). The end of the period of maturing (and adolescence) is marked by adoption of 'adult' roles, i.e.…”

“…The response is then increasing selfishness and emotional frustration (Kosová, 2014). According to Mayseless and Keren (2013), research on meaning in life in the period of emerging adulthood has considerable gaps. Their study is based on the theory that in this period, two basic areas are crucial to young people: love and work.…”

“…Their study is based on the theory that in this period, two basic areas are crucial to young people: love and work. The author's further state that searching for and finding a meaning in life during adolescence is one of the developmental tasks and that this task is getting to the forefront as a result of various social and cultural changes in the Western society (Mayseless & Keren, 2013).…”

Moral and Cultural Awareness in Emerging Adulthood: Preparing for Multi-Faith Workplaces

“…Yet numerous studies find the importance of developing a sense of meaning during life course development, especially through forming a sense of identity [51][52][53][54][55]. Having a faith identity or moral value system relates to a host of positive emerging adult outcomes and appears to be a protective factor during life course development [56][57][58].…”

Reflexive Transformation of Intimacy in Late Modernity Theories: Some Critiques and Conceptual Alternatives

“…The conclusion that love is understood nowadays as a secular religion was analyzed by Mayseless and Keren (2014). They were concerned how persons appreciate that love is the main source of life meaning during emerging adulthood (20-30 years old).…”