TY - JOUR
T1 - Self-regulatory processes and psychological symptoms among emerging adults
AU - Shulman, Shmuel
AU - Shavit-Pesach, Tamar
AU - Walsh, Sophie D.
AU - Almog, Zehava
AU - Even, Raz
AU - Doron, Adiel
AU - Fennig, Shmuel
PY - 2009/2
Y1 - 2009/2
N2 - The study examines the relevance of self-regulatory processes such as decision-making abilities and the setting of appropriate goals to the understanding of psychological problems in young adulthood. Sixty-three patients referred to a clinic for young adults and 63 non-patient counterparts were included in the study. Participants' levels of psychological symptoms, attainment of age-related tasks, decision-making ability, and setting of appropriate age-related goals were assessed. As could be expected, patients reported a higher number of psychological symptoms and lower practical independence than non-patients. However, patients and non-patients also differed consistently on self-regulatory processes, such that patients showed lower decision-making ability, a less consolidated outlook on life, and greater difficulty in setting adaptive goals. Incorporation of a developmental regulation perspective suggests that emerging adults with psychological problems are also deficient in their inner ability to cope with age-related tasks. Awareness of these self-regulatory deficiencies is relevant to understanding psychopathology at this developmental stage and to tailoring interventions.
AB - The study examines the relevance of self-regulatory processes such as decision-making abilities and the setting of appropriate goals to the understanding of psychological problems in young adulthood. Sixty-three patients referred to a clinic for young adults and 63 non-patient counterparts were included in the study. Participants' levels of psychological symptoms, attainment of age-related tasks, decision-making ability, and setting of appropriate age-related goals were assessed. As could be expected, patients reported a higher number of psychological symptoms and lower practical independence than non-patients. However, patients and non-patients also differed consistently on self-regulatory processes, such that patients showed lower decision-making ability, a less consolidated outlook on life, and greater difficulty in setting adaptive goals. Incorporation of a developmental regulation perspective suggests that emerging adults with psychological problems are also deficient in their inner ability to cope with age-related tasks. Awareness of these self-regulatory deficiencies is relevant to understanding psychopathology at this developmental stage and to tailoring interventions.
KW - Decision making
KW - Emerging adulthood
KW - Goal setting
KW - Psychological symptoms
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=61449113950&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/13676260802558862
DO - 10.1080/13676260802558862
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AN - SCOPUS:61449113950
SN - 1367-6261
VL - 12
SP - 111
EP - 120
JO - Journal of Youth Studies
JF - Journal of Youth Studies
IS - 1
ER -