Exploring Emerging Adulthood in a High Functioning Autistic Population

Date of Award

2008

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Barton, Michelle

Keywords

Emerging Adulthood, Asperger Syndrome, Austism

Area of Concentration

Psychology

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the theory of emerging adulthood in the individuals with highfunctioning autism and Asperger syndrome (HFA/AS) including (1) the types of criteria HFA/AS young people deem necessary for becoming an adult, (2) the types of behaviors HFA/AS are engaging in, (3) identity-related issues, and (4) other aspects of HFA/AS life that might suggest that emerging adulthood may be different than for the typical emerging adult. Participants included both a HFA/AS sample, and a non-clinical college student sample. All participants completed a survey that included a series of measures used in past research on emerging adulthood. Results suggested that like typical emerging adults, individuals with HFA/AS also experience ambivalence towards their adult status, they share many of the same beliefs on important criteria for adulthood as their emerging adult peers, and they still struggle to resolve identity related issues. However, individuals with HFA/AS report different achieved criteria for adulthood, and engage in fewer risk behaviors. In conclusion, while individuals with HFA/AS have similar perceptions and beliefs about the transition to adulthood as their non-clinical peers, there are also clear differences in the behaviors and experiences of these two groups during this developmental period.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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