Journal of Adult Development

Abstract Agency and communion are two core motivational themes in narrative identity, reflecting drives for independent control and relatedness, respectively. Despite significant attention to the salience of these narrative themes, no previous research has examined thematic change or associations with well-being and developmental outcomes in late midlife. In a diverse sample of 128 adults transit…

Abstract For many, pregnancy is a transformational event in a woman’s life entailing several psychological and physical changes that can become catalysts for positive personal growth. Birth-related posttraumatic growth (PTG) is one way of measuring how challenging experiences related to pregnancy and birth can influence the mother’s mental states differently with the magnitude of the specific psy…

Abstract This longitudinal study examined bonding social capital (BSC) as a protective factor for mental well-being during midlife. It was hypothesized that BSC provides two key resources, social support (SS) and a sense of control (SoC), that support well-being during a life stage characterized by physical changes, multiple roles, and significant responsibilities. A sample of 214 Dutch adults (4…

Abstract Although researchers have speculated about why education relates to parenting practices, such as spanking, there is very little direct evidence for why this relation exists. This study examined the relation between education and parent discipline beliefs in a novel way by comparing college freshmen and seniors at a large public university, thus allowing for a clear comparison of educatio…

Abstract The theory of mind (ToM) is a construct of complex skills that contributes to a better understanding of social scenarios and interpersonal relationships. We performed a quasiexperimental design study with a healthy aging sample of 454 Spanish- and Catalan-speaking individuals ranging in age from 18 to 94 years. This study examined the changes in ToM abilities among older adults, consider…

Major life events, such as living through a pandemic, can have profound influences on development. The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to the ways in which parents lived their lives. Mothers’ workloads were magnified as they had to balance their own responsibilities and those of their children all within the confines of the home. Little is known about how mothers adapted over…

Abstract Previous research suggests helicopter parenting may be disproportionately associated with lower levels of adjustment during emerging adulthood. However, the size, direction, and significance of the effects of helicopter parenting across different indicators of emerging adult functioning has not been empirically established. Therefore, the purpose of this meta-analytic investigation was t…