Stumbling Into Adulthood

Learning From Depression While Growing Up

Bibliographic Data

ID4619634
AuthorsR Grob (0000-0002-1017-4536, University of Wisconsin–Madison, corresponding author), 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)
Year2020
Volume30
Issue9
Pages1392-1408
Publication date2020-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueQualitative Health Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1049-7323 • E-ISSN: 1552-7557
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1049732320914579
PMID32364433
OpenAlexW3021678790
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited54

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