Stumbling Into Adulthood

Learning From Depression While Growing Up

Dados Bibliográficos

ID4619634
AutoresR Grob (0000-0002-1017-4536, University of Wisconsin–Madison, autor correspondente), Mark Schlesinger (0000-0002-7142-8667, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA), Meg Wise (University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA), Nancy Pandhi (0000-0002-0059-801X, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA)
Ano2020
Volume30
Fascículo9
Páginas1392-1408
Data de publicação2020-07-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoQualitative Health Research (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1049-7323 • E-ISSN: 1552-7557
EditoraSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1049732320914579
PMID32364433
OpenAlexW3021678790
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas6
Referências citadas54

Depression manifests in distinct ways across the life course. Recent research emphasizes how depression impedes development during emerging adulthood. However, our study-based on 40 interviews with emerging adults from multiple regions in the United States, analyzed following grounded theory-suggests a more complex narrative. Increasing experience with cycles of depression can also catalyze (a) mature perspectives and coping mechanisms that protect against depression's lowest lows; (b) deeper self-knowledge and direction, which in turn promoted a coherent personal identity; and (c) emergence of a life purpose, which fostered attainment of adult roles, skill development, greater life satisfaction, and enriched identity. Our synthesis reveals how depression during emerging adulthood can function at once as toxin, potential antidote, and nutritional supplement fostering healthy development. Our central finding that young adults adapt to rather than recover from depression can also enrich resilience theory, and inform both social discourse and clinical practice

Adult Development · Developmental psychology · Narrative · Psychological resilience · Aging and Gerontology Research · Clinical Psychology · Identity, Memory, and Therapy · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction · Psychology · Social Psychology