ABSTRACT
This chapter explores some issues that tend to manifest in life and consider the ways in which social workers can help young adults who face problems. With the conclusion of puberty, physical development tends to stabilize, and many individuals enjoy peak physical performance during young adulthood. Many of the processes of cognitive development that occur earlier in life begin to stabilize during young adulthood. In addition, young adults continue to develop intellectually and interpersonally while learning to master their emotions and deal with independence. Young adulthood is a time when most individuals in Western societies become autonomous, self-sufficient, and responsible for their actions. Social workers can play an instrumental role in the lives of young adults, particularly those experiencing problems with development. For example, according to Erik Erikson, young adulthood is a time when individuals work toward closeness in their relationships.
