ABSTRACT
This chapter explores several social and psychological problems that can come to the fore in emerging adulthood. It provides two general categories: externalizing problems and internalizing problems. The chapter also provides J. J. Arnett's work, followed by an extension of his work that identifies and reviews research on additional problems commonly experienced by emerging adulthood (EA). The research suggests specific treatment approaches such as study skills and tutoring for academic distress, dialectical behavior therapy and family therapy for parental issues, exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder, and dialectical behavior therapy for nonsuicidal self-injury and suicidality. Arnett defines externalizing problems as the projection of psychological conflicts into the outer world. He identified three externalizing problems commonly experienced by EAs based on an extensive review of research: risky driving, crime, and substance use and abuse. Romantic and sexual relationships represent another crucial challenge for emerging adults.
