Emerging adults, defined as those between the ages of 18 and 29, are often more susceptible to mental health issues. That’s because they’re still establishing their identity, finding a direction in life, and forming relationships. However, young adults today face challenges that those just 10 years ago did not, including soaring home prices and AI competition in the job market.
Without healthy coping skills, young people confronting challenges related to “adulting” may experience mental health issues, self-medicate stress with substances, and struggle to become independent. But with support, young adults can develop the necessary coping and life skills to move through this critical life stage with confidence.
What You’ll Learn
- What challenges are emerging adults facing in today’s world?
- Why are so many young adults reporting mental health conditions and substance use disorders?
- What are some ways you can help a young adult who is struggling?
- When should a young adult seek mental health treatment?
Quick Read
Emerging adults, defined as individuals aged 18–29, are facing unprecedented challenges today that differ significantly from those encountered by young adults a decade ago. Factors such as soaring home prices, the impact of artificial intelligence on job markets, and increasing mental health issues contribute to a sense of instability and uncertainty.
Young adults are still in the process of forming their identities and navigating financial and relational instability, making them particularly vulnerable to mental health struggles. Without healthy coping mechanisms, many may resort to substance use or find it difficult to achieve independence.
Young adults face challenges today, including pressure to succeed in a competitive job market, loneliness stemming from superficial connections fostered by social media, and rising living costs. Studies indicate that a significant percentage of young adults report experiencing depression, anxiety, and a lack of purpose. The complexities of modern life can leave many young people feeling overwhelmed, unsure of how to navigate adulthood, and struggling with the expectations placed upon them.
Healthy coping strategies are crucial for navigating the challenges of young adulthood. Reducing exposure to social media, engaging in physical activity, and fostering creative expression can help improve mental health. Building strong connections with friends and family, as well as seeking professional help when needed, can provide the necessary support for those struggling with mental health or substance use issues.
What Is Emerging Adulthood?
The term “young adult” typically refers to individuals between the ages of 20 and 39. However, in the early 2000s, psychologist and researcher Jeffrey Jensen Arnett, PhD, coined the term “emerging adults” to describe individuals between the ages of 18 and 29. He surveyed members of this age group for five years and discovered common themes that indicated this stage of life was developmentally significant and worthy of its own moniker.
The American Psychological Association (APA) summarizes Arnett’s findings, describing the emerging adulthood phase as having these characteristics:
- Instability
- Identity exploration
- Self-focus
- Feeling “in between”
- Possibilities
Emerging adults are generally working on developing their sense of self, are open to new directions, and are uncertain of which path or paths they should take. This season of life is marked by transition, the discovery of interests, exploration of options, and the making of independent choices.
In 2017, the Handbook of Life Course Development described emerging adulthood this way: “No stage in life, other than perhaps infancy, experiences such dynamic and complex changes on the personal, social, emotional, neuroanatomical, and developmental levels. For the 10 years between 18 and 28, the vast majority of emerging adults change [their] living situation, change their primary relationships, complete education or vocational preparation, get married, have children, and transition from adolescent/dependent roles to adult/independent roles.”
Changing Times and Unmet Expectations
While emerging adulthood remains a developmentally significant period, the culture and expectations in the United States have undergone substantial changes in the past decade. Many individuals in their early twenties do choose a career, get married, and establish a more permanent living situation. But many others have been delayed or deterred from that path, and some are declining it altogether.
In the struggle to achieve greater financial independence, some young adults are postponing marriage and having children. And they are still renting or living with parents instead of buying their own homes. Economic instability and the introduction of AI have had implications for professional career choices and job opportunities.
Moreover, mental health issues such as anxiety and depression have become more prevalent, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Given all these factors and more, it’s clear that today’s young adults are in crisis.
The 10 Most Common Young Adult Challenges
Emerging adults are dealing with a rapidly changing world. It seems that there are more options for building a bright future than ever before, yet more young adults are lonelier and more anxious than ever.
Here are some of the most common young adult challenges:
- Superficial connections and fear of missing out, perpetuated by dating apps and social media
- Inflation and economic instability are driving up mortgage prices, rent, groceries, and essentials
- Fear and helplessness related to environmental issues and the negative mental health impacts of climate change
- Rising student debt and tuition expenses are making it more challenging to pay off loans
- The fracturing of communities due to an increased ability to live in other places, work remotely, and connect with people online, making it more difficult to build long-term friendships or romantic relationships
- An increasingly polarized political environment, both nationally and globally, is affecting the economic, social, and cultural climates
- A volatile job market and a lack of knowledge regarding what skills are needed to stand out to employers
- Difficulty leaving home due to anxiety and/or lack of self-confidence, known as “failure to launch”
- Negative emotional repercussions related to perfectionism, often as a result of constant comparison with others
- Mental exhaustion due to coping with the repercussions of all of the above
More options and opportunities can ultimately be confusing and cause some young adults to resist choosing a direction or regret the one they select. They find themselves struggling with “how to adult” as they attain less responsibility and remain unsure how to do what’s expected of them. Technology can also provide a quick escape or source of entertainment, making it easier to avoid interaction or build resilience in the face of discomfort or difficulty.
Mental Health and Emerging Adults
All of these factors have an impact on the mental health of emerging adults. According to a 2023 Harvard Graduate School study, Making Caring Common, the state of young adult mental health is concerning:
- 36 percent of young adults reported experiencing depression
- 29 percent reported experiencing anxiety
- 58 percent said they lacked meaning or purpose in their lives
- Half said their mental health was affected by not knowing what to do with their lives
- More than half said financial worries and achievement pressure affected their mental health
- 44 percent said they felt like they didn’t matter to others
- 34 percent reported loneliness
Young adults also cited gun violence in schools, political corruption or volatility, and climate change as contributors to poor mental health.
According to the most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health, young adults aged 18–25 were the most likely out of all adults to experience any mental illness or substance use disorder in the past year, nearly 47 percent, or approximately 16 million people. They were also the most likely to experience a co-occurring substance use disorder and mental health condition, at 14 percent.
5 Evidence-Based Coping Strategies for Young Adults
How can you help a young adult who is struggling? Coping strategies and support are crucial for young adults as they strive to establish their footing. Modeling a healthy lifestyle, building real connections, and being present to listen can reassure young adults that the struggles they are facing won’t last forever. Here are some ways young adults can cope with complex or unforeseen challenges:
1. Limit exposure to social media, news, and technology in general
Technology can be helpful for many things, but it can also make our mental health worse. Taking breaks from high exposure to stimulation, especially if it’s negative or escapist, can help young adults reconnect with the world around them, and it can reduce feelings of anxiety.
2. Exercise and spend time in nature
Engaging in physical activity and spending time in nature have a positive impact on both mental health and physical well-being.
3. Tap into creative expression
Drawing, painting, writing, and other creative activities can be uplifting and help release tension and anxiety.
4. Reach out to friends and family
Strong connections can reduce feelings of depression and help young adults feel heard. Seeing a therapist is also recommended for those dealing with mental health symptoms.
5. Access mental health treatment
For young adults who are isolating, neglecting personal hygiene, having sleep problems, dealing with suicidal thoughts, increasing risk-taking behaviors, or becoming apathetic regarding work and relationships, treatment may be the right option. A structured mental health program can help young adults identify the root of their issues, access recovery support, and learn how to thrive again.
Mental Health Treatment for Young Adults
If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health issues, PrairieCare can help. Our services are specially designed to equip young adults with the coping and life skills they need to regain their footing and mature into full-fledged adulthood.
We employ a compassionate approach and evidence-based therapeutic methods to address the key issues that young adults face, meeting their needs and helping them discover how to live fulfilling lives as they transition into mature adulthood. We offer a full continuum of care at locations throughout Minnesota, ensuring that people can access the mental health support they need to heal and thrive.
If you or a loved one is looking for outpatient therapy options, request a no-cost mental health screening by clicking the button below and filling out the form on the right. Our team will contact you within one business day to begin the process. Or learn how to get started here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the challenges of early adulthood?
- Young adults are working on identity formation, establishing a stable career, achieving financial independence, and forming friendships or romantic relationships. Some challenges facing today’s young adults include rising home prices and other expenses, the surge in AI in the job market, and social isolation resulting from excessive technology use and remote work.
What events might happen in early adulthood?
- Young adults may be choosing careers, entering long-term romantic relationships, and buying a home in early adulthood; however, challenges such as the economic climate, financial instability, and difficulty making connections can delay or deter them from these events.
What are 18- to 25-year-olds called?
- The 18- to 25-year-old age group is defined not only as young adults, but as emerging adults. Emerging adults are individuals between the ages of 18 and 29.
What is the young adult age?
- Young adults are typically defined as those between the ages of 20 and 39, though those as young as 18 may also be included.
Sources
- American Psychological Association
- Handbook of Life Course Health Development: Emerging Adulthood as a Critical Stage in the Life Course
- Making Caring Common. (2023). On Edge: Understanding and Preventing Young Adults’ Mental Health Challenges
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association: Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the US: Results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health