Lived Experiences of Adversity in Emerging Adulthood: A Qualitative Study in Indian Context

Description

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20052152

Gargi Dhingra and Garima Kumar (Department of Psychology, Mata Sundri College for Women, University of Delhi, Delhi)

Emerging adulthood is a significant developmental stage (18-29 years) of transformation from adolescence to adulthood. It is a phase of life where adults explore major life choices, career transitions, relationships and future life possibilities. It is a period marked by changes, uncertainties and adversities throughout their adulthood. While emerging adulthood is prevalent in affluent Western societies, the form of manifestation and its relevance in the Indian context remain underexplored. This research is rooted in qualitative methodology and explores how emerging adults (18-29 years) in India experience and navigate adversities, and how these experiences shape them. Through semi-structured interviews with individuals who have faced distressing or traumatic events, key themes are identified and analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Some of the themes being: Negotiating roles and responsibilities, identity formation and self-development, emotional struggles and psychological impact, coping mechanisms and resilience, societal pressures and restraints, and future orientation. The study provides important insights into what characterises emerging adulthood in the Indian cultural contexts in normal or adverse situations and has implications for understanding how young adults negotiate transitions within complex socio-cultural environments.