ABSTRACT
The transition from adolescence to adulthood (approximately ages 16–25) is a critical period that reflects one’s early experiences of youth and defines his or her pathways into later adulthood (Mortimer et al., 2002). This transition marks rapid changes in brain development, executive and cognitive functioning, social relationships, and community context. Society expects young adults to move towards adult competencies and roles including finding and maintaining housing, completing their schooling, progressing towards sustainable employment, forming romantic relationships and establishing a family. Many emotional and behavioral disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, and psychoses commonly start before the age of 24 (Blanco et al., 2008; Kessler et al., 2005; Patel, Flisher, Hetrick, & McGorry, 2007). Young adults with emotional and behavioral disorders often have delays in social and psychological development, struggle to achieve adult milestones, and must navigate complicated mental health treatment and other public systems. At the same time, there is a lack of evidence-based practices specifically for young adults with emotional and behavioral disorders. There are, however, several promising approaches. Further research is needed to develop and test developmentally appropriate and culturally appealing interventions to support young adults with emotional and behavioral disorders across multiple goals.
