Texas Tech University

Human Development and Family Sciences

Emerging Adulthood Lab

Emerging adulthood (EA) is a transitional stage or process in between adolescence and full-fledged adulthood. Researchers generally consider EA to begin around age 18 and last until 25 or 30. Individuals going through EA may feel like an adult in some ways, but not in others. Some people in the EA age-range are married and supporting a family, although the typical age of first marriage has been rising in the U.S. and other industrialized nations.

Many young people use their EA years to try different jobs, travel, volunteer, and just generally "find themselves," whereas others act in ways that some scholars consider unproductive (e.g., heavy drinking, hook-ups). Dr. Reifman and his students study emerging adulthood in a variety of ways.

Inventory of the Dimensions of Emerging Adulthood (IDEA)
Measure created by Dr. Reifman and colleagues on the experience of going through Emerging Adulthood
http://www.webpages.ttu.edu/areifman/IDEA_instrument.htm

Dr. Reifman's Emerging Adulthood Blog
http://emergingadulthood.blogspot.com/

Contact

Dr. Alan Reifman

alan.reifman@ttu.edu
Phone: (806) 834-5174
Office: HS 509