Emerging and Young Adulthood: Multiple Perspectives, Diverse Narratives (Advancing Responsible Adolescent Development)

The most distinctive feature of the Second Edition is its theoretical orientation coupled with a focus on understanding emerging and young adulthood from multiple perspectives. The updated and expanded book offers readers an opportunity to “listen to the voices” of emerging and young adults, parents, and employers, which is key to understanding this particular developmental period. In addition, the case studies provided throughout the book are diverse and detailed.

The issues of emerging adulthood are complicated, nuanced, and defy easy characterizations. This book provides an opportunity to debunk many established pernicious stereotypes about emerging and young adults. The presentation of diverse voices and case material serves as a springboard for discussion and engages readers with material depicting emerging adults in the throes of working through developmental challenges characteristic of this period. In addition, the recent economic downturn has created havoc and further instability in the lives of emerging and young adults. The Second Edition focuses on the effects of – as well as possible solutions to – unemployment on emerging and young adults. A new chapter focuses on career experimentation versus career floundering, which is an important distinction. Additional new chapters address the effects of technology as well as depression and anxiety on emerging and young adults.

The Second Edition examines emerging and young adulthood within a larger developmental and ecological context. In addition, it ensures that readers are well positioned to understand how the developmental demands of this period intersect with current economic, social, and political realities. It is a must-have resource for developmental, clinical child and school psychologists, rehabilitation counselors and therapists, I/O psychologists, and sociologists as well as for researchers and graduate-level students across these various disciplines.

Varda Konstam, Ph.D., Professor Emerita at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, in the Counseling and School Psychology Department, brings range and depth to understanding emerging and young adults. Her extensive teaching, research, and clinical background bring focus to the diverse perspective of the major stakeholders – parents, employers, and individuals – who are negotiating their 20s as well as those individuals who have newly emerged from this decade. Dr. Konstam weaves a tapestry that is grounded in research, nuanced in capturing the voices of multiple stakeholders, and provides guidance for understanding and navigating new patterns of behavior associated with people in their 20s. She has published more than 30 articles and two books on emerging adults.