6 Emerging Adults 157family member or friend in the past year and 50% have suffered a loss in
the past 2 years (Hardison, Neimeyer, & Lichstein, 2005). Neimeyer, Laurie,
Mehta, Hardison, and Currier (2008) have described this widespread
bereavement as a “silent epidemic” affecting emerging adults’ social, aca-
demic, and overall development.
The developmental stage of emerging adulthood is a distinct period in
the United States and other industrialized societies where there is an extended
form of adolescence (Arnett, 2004). It is not like earlier adolescence in that
there is more freedom from parental direction. On the other hand, it is also
not like adulthood, because many have not made transitions into financial
self-dependency, marriage, or parenthood that are typically associated with
adulthood. It is estimated that in the United States about two thirds of emerg-
ing adults will enter college after graduating high school, and among college
graduates, one third will pursue a graduate education. Therefore, it is now
more common for marriage, parenthood, completion of school, and full-time
stable employment to be achieved during one’s late twenties. Higher educa-
tion is now more necessary than ever in order to obtain gratifying and high-
paying employment that can sufficiently support one individual, much less
an entire family (Arnett, 2004). Emerging adults may become involved with
different partners as they learn what qualities they find most attractive or dis-
tasteful. They often obtain various service jobs that are unrelated to what they
eventually expect to do as adults. While thriving on this unstructured freedom
to explore, this continuous exploration may be an overwhelming experience
filled with multiple gains and losses (Arnett, 2004).
Emerging adulthood is often a time of transition involving both exter-
nal and internal changes. External adjustments may include living on one’s
own for the first time, decisions regarding education and employment, and
evolving friendships and romantic relationships. Internal changes may be
found in maturity, cognition, and independence as the brain continues to
develop. Each transition and change is inherently tied to loss. The com-
pounded loss due to death may significantly impact an emerging adult’s
development and exacerbate their experience of other losses and changes
in their lives.
Grief Processes
Myriad emotional reactions can occur after the death of a loved one during
emerging adulthood. Sadness is one of the most natural and common
responses associated with loss. It can lower mood, decrease heart rate, and
generally reduce one’s energy level, thus allowing for the reflection and
introspection needed to mourn a loss. This “time-out” period has the func-
tional role of allowing for a more accurate and detail-oriented processing
of the loss, which promotes adaptation (Lewis, Haviland-Jones, & Barrett,
2008). Emerging adults may find it difficult to allow themselves this reflec-
tion process, especially if needing to take on new responsibilities, such
as handling financial obligations or needing to care for younger siblings.
Loneliness can arise in emerging adults as they may feel as if neither their
family nor friends can understand the extent of their experience.