Browsing by Subject "young adults"

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    Isolation and Intimacy Processes in Young Adult College Students: A Four Dimensional Model
    (2015-05) Newell, Jane
    Abstract The development of intimate relationships (especially during young adulthood) is a major concern to researchers, practitioners, and educators alike. The ways that we have studied and made sense of this phenomenon have evolved considerably – and continue to evolve over time. The study presented here sought to gain deeper understanding into the processes of developing romantic unions during this formative phase. Data consisted of 20 in-depth autobiographical papers written by students enrolled in a course focusing on intimate relationships at a large Midwestern University. A theory-guided, structured deductive content analysis produced five major findings: (1) isolation and intimacy are separate and concomitant processes; (2) there are four dimensions in the young adulthood stage: dystonic isolation (DIS), syntonic isolation (SIS), dystonic intimacy (DIN), and syntonic intimacy (SIN); (3) a pattern of pairing dimensions, (4) a pattern of seeking adaptive balance from one dimension to another dimension; and (5) a pattern of seeking adaptive balance among all dimensions. The greatest amount of narrative was written about experiences of dystonic intimacy, followed by depictions of the psychosocial process of moving from dystonic isolation to syntonic isolation. The manners in which these findings can inform the development of an assessment tool that purposefully evaluates these four dimensions, implications for clinicians working with young adults, and directions for educators who teach about intimacy are addressed in the discussion. Keywords: college students, psychosocial development, intimacy, isolation, personal narrative, romantic relationship development, university students, young adulthood
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    Young Adults’ Financial Socialization Processes as Influences of Conceptualization and Understanding of Financial Well-Being and Choice in Relationship Commitment
    (2017-05) Rea, Jennifer
    The two studies presented in this dissertation provide an understanding of young adults’ perspective financial socialization processes and how the experiences influence a conceptualization of financial well-being and their choice of romantic relationship status (Study 1: N = 31, Study 2: N = 549). Study 1 has adapted Gudmunson and Danes’ (2011) Family Financial Socialization theory as a framework for organizing young adults’ (ages 20-23 years) personal reflections of how they conceptualized financial well-being. All interviews in Study 1 were coded and analyzed following Gilgun and colleagues’ (1992) pattern matching approach of analytical induction. Study findings suggested that parents and families have contributed to young adults’ financial well-being through financial socialization. Study 2 was guided by Deacon and Firebaugh’s (1988) Family Resource Management theory to examine how the combination of financial resources, financial management, and self-actualizing personal values influence young adults’ (ages 23-26 years) choice of relationship structure. Findings revealed that focusing on individual financial literacy and capability may not be enough to prepare young adults to be financially capable in a committed relationship. These studies suggest that familial socialization agents (e.g., parents, romantic partners) and social norms influenced young adults’ well-being (i.e., financial well-being) and their future life decisions (i.e., choice of committed relationship structure).