Latent Profiles of Emerging Adulthood in the U.S.: Sociodemographic Differences and Qualitative Perceptions of Achieved Adulthood

Emerging adults’ social identities may shape how they experience the features of emerging adulthood (EA). Drawing on a diverse national cohort of 1149 emerging adults in the U.S., we identified latent profiles based on the features of EA: identity exploration, instability, self-focus, feeling in-between, possibility, and other-focus. We then explored sociodemographic differences in profile composition and examined qualitative responses describing participants’ perceptions of achieved adulthood to understand the roots of these different profiles. Latent profile analysis classified our sample into five profiles defined by qualitatively different experiences of EA. Profile composition varied significantly by race/ethnicity, immigrant-origin background, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, and postsecondary educational experience. Quantitative findings provide insight into how diverse social identities influence EA experiences in the U.S., and qualitative data indicated that themes of independence, responsibility, employment, and relationships with one’s parents most commonly influenced emerging adults’ perceptions of achieved adulthood.