Exploring “Emerging Adulthood”: The Late Teens Through The Twenties

Emerging adulthood describes a period when an individual is no longer an adolescent but is not yet a fully independent adult. It has been proposed as a phase that’s distinct from late adolescence or early adulthood, instead viewed as an “in-between” time of exploration, instability, and growth that some people may experience. Learning more about what characterizes early adulthood may help individuals and parents know what to expect from this time and how to navigate challenges that may arise. If you’re looking for support as you enter a new phase of life, working with an in-person or online therapist may be helpful.

What is “emerging adulthood”? 

The phase of emerging adulthood was first defined in 2000 by psychologist and Clark University professor Jeffrey Jensen Arnett, Ph.D. Arnett studied 300 people aged 18 to 29 to figure out what young adults were seeking in life. He noted that many of the participants experienced a sense of "being in-between" adolescence and adulthood, with many still connected to some of the comforts of adolescence, like living at home or relying on familial financial support. This observation led Arnett to begin studying emerging adulthood as a concept, on which he has continued to publish research, including as recently as 2025.

Emerging adulthood generally begins after adolescence and lasts until a person reaches certain adult milestones, like making independent decisions and supporting themselves financially.

In general, in a place like the US, emerging adulthood may extend from the teens through the twenties—approximately ages 18 or 19 (after high school graduation) to 25 or even 29. However, the exact age range can vary depending on economic factors and available opportunities. For example, when unemployment rates and cost of living are high, causing many young people to live with their parents indefinitely, an individual may feel like they’re in the “emerging adulthood” phase for a longer period. For support in understanding or navigating a transitional period in your life, reaching out to an online therapist may be beneficial.

Why emerging adulthood is considered a new stage

Arnett’s research led him to theorize that emerging adulthood is a relatively new phenomenon occurring in the United States due to shifting societal expectations, norms, and opportunities. He proposed that it came about because of the following four social and economic changes that began in the 1960s–1970s:

• The women’s movement
• The “technology revolution”
• The youth movement
• The sexual revolution

According to one source, “as a result of these radical changes, the arrival of full-fledged adulthood has been delayed.” In other words, each of the above events may have played a part in pushing back the typical ages of adult milestones in the US. 

For example, the women’s movement won several rights that gave women more freedom. Before the 1960-70s in the US, an unmarried woman couldn’t get her own credit card, obtain birth control, or be legally protected from housing discrimination based on gender. Once laws were changed on topics like these, more choices and opportunities became available to women, which decreased the expectation and pressure to go from adolescence directly to traditional adult milestones like marriage and motherhood.

The study of emerging adulthood today

Arnett urges continuing scholarship examining emerging adulthood. One reason is that, since this experience is heavily shaped by economic and societal factors, it may continue to evolve and look different for each generation. Recent work in the field covers topics such as the impacts of social media on emerging adults, the effects of adverse childhood experiences on emerging adults, loneliness during this phase of life, and more.

Key characteristics of emerging adulthood in the United States

In his book Emerging Adulthood: The Winding Road from the Late Teens Through the Twenties, Arnett proposes five key features of emerging adulthood in the US today. These include:

1. Identity exploration
2. Instability
3. Self-focus 
4. Feeling "in-between"
5. Different possibilities/optimism

Identity exploration as an emerging adult

Young adults may start to explore their identity in greater detail than they did in their late teens. Identity exploration can look like: 

• Defining one's sexuality and gender identity 
• Finding healthy relationships
• Deciding what hobbies one has
• Setting career and educational goals
• Deciding what types of friends or partners one wants to have 

Instability in emerging adulthood

Emerging adults tend to experience a sense of instability across various aspects of life, including school, work, career, relationships, and living situations. It can be a period of experimentation: choosing a major and then changing it, trying a job in one industry and then switching, dating someone for a while and then breaking up. This phase of life can be a process of constant revision. It can be natural, given the identity exploration that is usually taking place at the same time. As Arnett puts it in his book, “Exploration and instability go hand in hand.”

Self-focus

Self-focus during emerging adulthood can be, as Arnett notes in his book, “normal, healthy, and temporary.” At this age, young adults tend to have significantly more control over their day-to-day lives than they did in adolescence. This period may allow for self-reflection and increased self-sufficiency over time.

The feeling of being “in-between”

Per his studies and surveys of young people in this phase of life, Arnett identified three criteria that individuals tend to believe signify true adulthood:

1. Accepting responsibility for yourself
2. Making independent decisions
3. Becoming financially independent

Since these milestones tend to be achieved gradually, emerging adulthood can seem like living between two different phases of life. It can take time for a person to “feel” like they’re truly an adult, even while they’re well past the phase of adolescence, resulting in the in-between sense.

Possibilities for emerging adults

For emerging adults, this phase of life may be filled with more possibilities than any other, though the opportunities available can depend on many factors. In general, however, emerging adults tend to have more freedom to choose what they want their life to look like—especially compared to adults in later phases who are already committed to “a network of relationships and obligations,” as Arnett puts it. In US culture today, it’s not unusual for young people to imagine and explore various possibilities at this stage. 

Late teens entering adulthood: Common types of transitions during emerging adulthood

Emerging adulthood can be thought of as an inherently transitional phase of life, since exploring identity and possibilities is common during this time. Examples of a few key transitions many emerging adults experience in this period relate to living situations, relationships, and school/career.

Living situations

Pew Research Center reports that in 2023, 18% of US adults ages 25–34 were living in a parent’s home, a situation which may often be linked to unemployment, inflation, and a costly rental market. However, when it’s financially possible, many emerging adults in the United States choose to move out of their parent’s home, either to live on their own, with roommates, or with a partner.

Relationships

Although some people may have had serious relationships in adolescence that last through adulthood, others may start to explore dating and sexuality for the first time after 18. While not every individual may be interested in sexual or romantic relationships, those who do may experience the transitions often involved in:

• Entering the dating scene
• Understanding their sexuality
• Exploring different relationship styles
• Forming new relationships
• Experiencing breakups

For support navigating relationships, identity, or life transitions, an online therapist may be a helpful resource.

Job and education

Whether a person attends college, enters trade school, or enters the workforce after high school, this phase in their professional life can involve many transitions. Pursuing higher education, choosing a major or a course of study, deciding on a career field, navigating the interview process, and adapting to working life can all bring significant changes to one’s daily routines. 

Emerging adulthood and mental health

The many changes of emerging adulthood can have various impacts on mental health. Some common mental health challenges during this period of life may include:

• Chronic stress
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Relationship challenges
• Low self-esteem
• Experiences of trauma, or effects of past trauma

Having support in navigating these challenges may promote mental well-being as well as healthy future development. Being aware of common warning signs of mental health challenges can also be important in understanding when it may be time to seek professional help.

What factors influence the transition to adulthood?

Several different factors may influence how a person experiences their transition to adulthood. First, structural opportunities—influenced by location, policy, and systemic biases—may make a significant impact. A young person who is trying to move toward adulthood but faces barriers like few available jobs, high education costs, discrimination, and others may face both practical difficulties and mental health challenges as a result. Such barriers may either prolong emerging adulthood or “fast-track” a person to true adulthood, potentially before they feel ready.

Having family resources and community support can also make a significant difference in terms of the opportunities a person has and the emotional encouragement they receive as they navigate challenges.

Potential benefits of seeking therapy as an emerging adult

Emerging adults who are looking for emotional and mental health support during this transitional period of life may benefit from working with a mental health professional. For instance, a therapist may be able to provide support as an individual navigates stressors, weighs future options, and explores their identity and relationships. They can help a person learn healthy coping mechanisms for stress and provide talk therapy treatment for mental health challenges they may experience, such as depression or anxiety.

The convenience of online therapy

Many emerging adults have busy schedules, which could make the process of finding a therapist and then commuting to in-person appointments challenging. Financial concerns may also make attending in-person therapy sessions difficult. In such cases, online therapy may be a more convenient and affordable option.

With a platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a licensed therapist based on your answers to a brief questionnaire about your needs and preferences. This process can make it easier to find a provider than manually searching for one near you. Once matched, you and your therapist can meet for virtual appointments via phone, video, or live chat. Online therapy also tends to be more affordable than in-person therapy without insurance. 

What the research says about online therapy

Research on the effectiveness of online therapy indicates that this format may often be as effective as in-person therapy for adults of all ages. For example, consider a 2021 study that suggests that online therapy may be “no less efficacious” than in-person care for treating a variety of common mental health challenges.