Yetişkinliğe Geçiş ve Yerleşik Yetişkinlik: Psikolojik ve Sosyal Değişimler Üzerine Nitel Bir Araştırma

Öz

Beliren yetişkinlik ve orta yetişkinlikten farklı gelişimsel özellikleri ve yaşam olaylarını içermesi nedeni ile 30 ile 45 yaşları arasındaki gelişim dönemi yerleşik yetişkinlik olarak adlandırılmıştır. Bu araştırmada yetişkinliğe ilişkin algıların, yetişkinliğe geçiş deneyimlerinin, yerleşik yetişkinlikteki psikolojik ve sosyal değişimlerin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Çalışmaya 30 ile 35 yaşları arasındaki 16 yerleşik yetişkin katılmıştır. Araştırma betimleyici fenomenolojik desende yürütülmüştür ve yarı-yapılandırılmış görüşmeler yapılarak veri toplanmıştır. Yapılan tematik analizde yetişkin algısı, yetişkinliğe geçişte rol oynayan etmenler, benlik, kimlik ve değişim, sosyal ilişkilerdeki değişim ve geleceğe ilişkin beklentiler olmak üzere beş ana tema oluşturulmuştur. Katılımcıların çoğunluğu kendilerini yetişkin olarak algıladıklarını ifade etmiştir. Yetişkinliğe geçişi; sorumluluk alma, özerklik ve ekonomik bağımsızlık kazanmaya dayalı olarak ele almışlardır. Araştırma yerleşik yetişkinlikte kendini anlamanın ve bilgeliğin arttığını, kimlik arayışının azaldığını ya da sonlandığı, önceliklerin, ebeveynler ve arkadaşlar ile ilişkilerin niteliğinin değiştiğini göstermiştir. Bazı katılımcıların yerleşik yetişkinlik döneminde yaşamdaki olasılıklarının azaldığını düşündükleri belirlenmiştir. Çalışma Türkiye’deki yerleşik yetişkinlerin deneyimlerinin daha iyi anlaşılmasına ve yerleşik yetişkinliğin ayırt edici özelliklerinin belirlenmesine katkıda bulunmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Yetişkin algısı
• yerleşik yetişkinlik
• benlik
• kimlik
• sosyal ilişkiler

Transition to Adulthood and Established Adulthood: A Qualitative Study on Psychological and Social Changes

Abstract

The developmental period between the ages of 30 and 45 has recently been named as established adulthood as it encompasses developmental characteristics, and life tasks that distinguish it from emerging adulthood and middle adulthood. This study aims to examine perceptions of adulthood, experiences of the transition to adulthood, psychological and social changes in established adulthood. 16 established adults between the ages of 30 and 35 participated in the study. The research employed a descriptive phenomenological design, and semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data. The data was analyzed using the inductive thematic analysis method. Five main themes were identified in the thematic analysis: perception of being an adult, factors playing a role in the transition to adulthood, self, identity and change, changes in social relations, and expectations for the future. The majority of the participants viewed themselves as adults. They believed that the transition to adulthood was based on taking responsibility, gaining autonomy and achieving economic independence. The study revealed that self-understanding and wisdom increased, identity exploration diminished or ceased, priorities shifted, and the quality of relationships with parents and friends changed. Some participants stated that they had less opportunities in life due to being in established adulthood. The study contributes to a better understanding of the experiences of established adults in Turkey and identifies the distinctive features of established adulthood.

Keywords

• Perception of adulthood
• established adulthood
• self
• identity
• social relationships

Kaynakça

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