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Emerging Adulthood : Internal Markers Of Adulthood And Alcohol Use, Kristen L. Hannum

USF St. Petersburg campus Master's Theses (Graduate)

Emerging adulthood is the developmental period of transition between adolescence and adulthood. This period is widely associated with identity exploration as well as risk behaviors, such as alcohol use. As alcohol use is at its highest point during emerging adulthood, developmental patterns of use are also known to substantially decrease by the end of the transition. External markers of adulthood (marital status, parenthood, and career) are recognized markers of the transition and have been associated with alcohol use decline. The current study first establishes the importance of internal markers (responsibility, decision making, and financial independence) in recognizing adulthood. Research suggests …