Measurement And Analysis Of The Emerging Adulthood Of The Students In Higher Vocational School

One of research domains that developmental psychology concerns most is psychologicaldevelopment and change during the transition from adolescence to adulthood. In reference to thetheory of emerging adulthood proposed by American psychologist Jefferyï¹’Jensenï¹’Arnett, thisresearch is seeking to validate the theory with Chinese higher vocational school students, to examinethe criteria of Chinese higher vocational school students for adult status as well as their characteristicsof emerging adulthood.10students selected randomly are involved in the quasi-structured interviewsand another792students selected are investigated with modified versions of Questionnaire of Criteriafor Adult Status and Questionnaire of Adulthood Characteristics. The major conclusions are thefollows:(1) The seven dimensions of the criteria for adult status are also suitable for Chinese students.With regard to cross-cultural differences, both Chinese and American students share their interests inIndependence and Family capacities. But there are differences in the independence of thought. TheAmerican students concern more about the independence of thought. As to the standard onInterdependence, Chinese students give their higher priority. Moreover, Chinese students put moreemphasis than American students on Norm compliance. Regardless of all the other factors, acceptingresponsibility for one's self, making independent decisions and becoming financially independent, areevaluated as important landmarks for adult status by Chinese students. Moreover, some students takethe factors of being capable of taking care of parents financially and think about others as two otherimportant criteria.(2) The personal financial condition has an important influence on the criteria foradult status, whereas the family financial has a little influence. Friendship is another importantinfluence, but romantic relation doesn't have much impact.(3) The five dimensions of emergingadulthood characteristics are also applicable to the Chinese students. Chinese higher vocational schoolstudents give the highest priority to "Feeling 'In-Between'" but give the lowest mark to "Instability".American students have stronger feelings in being "In-Between".(4) Personal financial condition,part-time experience, boarding experience and friendship have reached significant difference inemerging adulthood characteristics.(5) Both in China and America, most of the students answer "insome respects yes, in some respects no" when asked whether they have reached adulthood. Morestudents in China think they have reached adulthood yet than in America. There are significant agedifferences and sex differences for adult sense. Personal financial condition, part-time experience,family structure and romantic relation have reached significant difference in adult sense.