The transition into adulthood isn’t always clear-cut. Young adults navigate big decisions and changing responsibilities. It’s normal to experience periods of uncertainty along the way.
Rogers Behavioral Health’s Dr. Sarah R. Lee, PhD, LP, psychologist, OCD and Anxiety residential care for adults, and OCD, Anxiety and Depression residential care for adults, explains what a quarter-life crisis is and P, psychologist, OCD and Anxiety residential care for adults, and OCD, Anxiety and Depression residential care for adults, explains what a quarter-life crisis is and how mental health is impacted.
What is young adulthood?
There isn’t a single definition for “young adulthood,” or agreement about who counts as a “young adult.” A person is legally recognized as an adult starting at the age of 18. However, turning 18 isn’t a definitive transition for many young adults. They may continue to live with their families, engage in formal education, or be financially dependent upon their parents for months or years. The brain mostly finishes developing when a person is around 25 years old. Yet it can, and does, take longer for young adults to settle into their adult identities and roles. A roughly agreed-upon definition of a young adult is anyone between the ages of 18 and 29.
There are a lot of expectations that culture generally places on young adults. They may be expected to:
- Find jobs and become financially independent
- Establish lasting romantic relationships and become parents
- Create homes of their own, away from their families of origin
These expectations can lead young adults to feel pressured, rushed, and uncertain.
What is a quarter-life crisis?
The term “quarter-life crisis”:
- Refers to a crisis of identity that a person in their 20s or 30s experiences, like the well-known “mid-life crisis”
- Involves feelings of uncertainty and doubt as the young adult tries to figure out major life milestones, like living alone, starting or significantly advancing in their career, and dating and marriage
- Isn’t an official diagnosis, but a popular term
- Draws us to something important: Young adulthood can be tough in ways that are unique from adolescence or established adulthood
What are the challenges young adults are facing?
In addition to the traditional expectations which have always shaped young adulthood, today’s young adults face difficulties that previous generations may not have experienced, or at least not to the same degree.
Financial pressures
Young adults face unemployment at higher rates today compared with years prior to the Great Recession in 2007. More young adults than ever are seeking higher education, which can further complicate or delay full-time employment. All of this means that young adults are often financially dependent upon their families for longer than past generations. In some cases, especially when expectations or rules are unclear, this can place additional stress on the young adult, their families, and the relationships between them.
Shifting relationship and family timelines
There have also been changes to patterns in forming long-term romantic relationships and becoming parents. Young adults are achieving these later, if at all, when compared to previous generations. This delay in forming romantic relationships and families is likely related to economic changes. It can lead to an increase in loneliness and isolation among young adults.
Reaching these life milestones later than previous generations, combined with more financial difficulties and increased feelings of isolation, means that young adulthood is an especially important time to receive support from loved ones.
How can loved ones offer support for young adults’ mental health?
There are two key ways loved ones can offer mental health support to young adults in their life.
1. Listen without judgment
One of the biggest ways to be helpful is to listen without judgment if the young adult in your life wants to talk about their struggles. For those of us past the young adult years, we sometimes look back on our own young adulthood through a rose-colored lens and forget the struggles we faced at the time. Remember that each young adult is unique. Even if our own path into adulthood was relatively smooth, it’s not that way for everyone. Young adulthood truly is a distinct period of life, deserving attention and support!
2. Practice good communication
For parents of young adults who are continuing to live at home, this relationship can be a balancing act. Good communication will be key. Allowing additional freedoms and independence to your young adult, while also holding age-appropriate expectations and making house rules clear, can help maintain a healthy and mutually supportive relationship with your newly adult child.
When should a young adult seek additional support?
Experiencing doubt or uncertainty in young adulthood is actually very normal! However, if your doubt or uncertainty is intense and prevents you from doing the things you like, or meeting the goals that are important to you, I would strongly consider talking with someone about it. Similar-aged friends may understand what you’re going through from personal experience. Additionally, it can be very helpful to talk to loved ones who are willing to listen and support.
It might be time to talk with a mental health professional if you’re developing other symptoms or behaviors related to this uncertainty, such as:
- Avoiding daily activities or social interaction
- Over- or under-sleeping
- Excessive worry
- Rumination
Although young adulthood can be a difficult time, it can also be filled with new opportunities and experiences. Most people do look fondly back on this time and see it as when they came into their own. It’s our hope to help young adults find excitement and purpose in that season.
Rogers offers mental health support for young adults
Rogers offers compassionate and effective mental health treatment for young adults. For those struggling with OCD, anxiety, or depression and are having difficulty managing day-to-day life, Rogers provides residential care specifically for 18 to 25-year-olds.
Through treatment, young adults will:
- Gain confidence and positive self-identity
- Practice social and life skills
- Engage in a therapeutic community with those similar in age and point in life for a sense of belonging
Call 833-308-5887 for a free, confidential screening.
A quarter-life crisis is a popular term used to describe feelings of uncertainty, self-doubt, and identity struggles that some people experience in their 20s or early 30s as they navigate major life decisions.
No. A quarter-life crisis is not an official mental health diagnosis, but it can describe a period of stress and uncertainty that may affect a young adult’s well-being.
Young adulthood often involves major life transitions, including becoming financially independent, building a career, developing relationships, and defining personal identity, all of which can create stress and uncertainty.
Offer support by listening without judgment, encouraging open communication, respecting their growing independence, and suggesting professional help if their struggles begin affecting daily life.
A young adult should consider seeking support if feelings of uncertainty become overwhelming, interfere with daily activities or relationships, or are accompanied by symptoms such as excessive worry, rumination, changes in sleep, or avoiding everyday responsibilities.
