CQUniversity researchers are studying how adolescent experiences influence a young person's transition to adulthood.
The university is calling on young adults aged 18-25 to participate in a project titled Hopes and Dreams.
The research is being undertaken by Tuesday McKrill and Nicola Rule as part of a research project for their Honours degree in Psychological Science.
Research supervisor Dr Cassandra Dittman said the research would examine how parent and school relationships experienced during adolescence, influenced the values and beliefs during adulthood regarding further education and employment.
“Young adulthood signifies a time of great change as the school years finish and major decisions regarding future employment or further education become the new priority,” Dr Dittman said.
“It's therefore important to understand how much influence parental relationships and experiences at school impact the choices we make as young adults, particularly their self-efficacy and transition to work and further education.”
Dr Dittman said the developmental period known as ‘emerging adulthood’ (18-25 years) can be a time of excitement and opportunity, but also a time of great change and instability in a young person’s life.
“It is a period of increased vulnerability to mental health problems and disengagement from employment and education.
“Little is known about the factors that shape the beliefs and values of young adults regarding decisions about employment, further education or relationships during this stage of life.”
Participants will be recruited online and via community outreach to take part in an anonymous online survey that asks participants to retrospectively report on their sociodemographic circumstances, relationships with parents and peers, and educational experiences during high school in Year 10.
“We are hoping to recruit a broad range of young adults from the community, including those who are working, training or studying and those who may not be working or studying right now,” Dr Dittman explained.
“We are also interested to see if there are any differences among young adults living in regional and remote areas versus those living in urban areas.”
To take part in the survey, follow this link. Upon completion of the survey, participants will have the option to enter a competition to win one of two $50 Coles/Myer gift vouchers.
