ItemArticle

The Relationship Between Developmental Crisis and Meaning in Life in Emerging Adulthood: An Analysis of Data from Eight Countries

Title
The Relationship Between Developmental Crisis and Meaning in Life in Emerging Adulthood: An Analysis of Data from Eight Countries
Creator
Petrov, Nikolay; Robinson, Oliver C.; Vleioras, Georgios; k, Figen; do?an, H. Kra; Yeler, Zehra; Berber, Kra; Millova, Katarina; Sajjad, Saba; Dutra-Thom Luciana; Rahayu, Maria Nugraheni Mardi; Rasyida, Afinnisa; Aprodita, Nindya Putri; Mishra, Shefali; Sharma, Payal; Srivastava, Akancha; Dermitzaki, Irini; Spyrou, Anastasia; Mante, Emmanouela; Laila, Ume
Description
Developmental crisis episodes are common during emerging adulthood. Evidence from existing research suggests that existential concerns about lifes meaning are prominent during crisis episodes in emerging adulthood, but little quantitative research exists on this topic. The current cross-cultural study investigated the relationships between components of developmental crisis (measured using the 3-factor Developmental Crisis Questionnaire), and meaning in life (measured using the Meaning in Life Questionnaire, which has two factors: search for and presence of meaning in life). The sample comprised 1967 emerging adults across eight countries (Brazil, Czechia, Greece, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey and the United Kingdom). Two components of developmental crisis being in transition/turning point and feeling disconnected/distressed were positively associated with a search for meaning in life. Feeling disconnected/distress and lacking clarity/control were negatively associated with a presence of meaning in life. The findings emphasize the need for organizations and services that focus on supporting young adults in crisis, and that these should provide help with the often-hidden existential sense that life may be lacking meaning, and the corresponding endeavour to search for meaning. The Author(s) 2026.
Source
Journal of Adult Development;
Date
01-01-2026
Publisher
Springer
Subject
Developmental crisis; Emerging adulthood; Meaning in life; Presence of meaning; Quarter-life crisis; Search for meaning
Coverage
Petrov N., University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Robinson O.C., Regents University, London, United Kingdom; Vleioras G., University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece; k F., Ba?kent University, Ankara, Turkey; do?an H.K., Ba?kent University, Ankara, Turkey; Yeler Z., TED University, Ankara, Turkey; Berber K., Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey; Millova K., University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic; Sajjad S., International institute of Science Arts and Technology, Gujranwala, Pakistan; Dutra-ThomL., Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil; Rahayu M.N.M., Satya Wacana Christian University, Salatiga, Indonesia; Rasyida A., University of Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia; Aprodita N.P., University of Bunda Mulia, Jakarta, Indonesia; Mishra S., Christ University, Delhi, India; Sharma P., Christ University, Delhi, India; Srivastava A., O. P. Jindal Global University, Son?pat, India; Dermitzaki I., University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece; Spyrou A., University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece; Mante E., University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece; Laila U., GIFT University, Gujranwala, Pakistan
Rights
All Open Access; Hybrid Gold Open Access
Relation
ISSN: 10680667;
Format
online
Language
English
Type
Article

Citation

Petrov, Nikolay; Robinson, Oliver C.; Vleioras, Georgios; k, Figen; do?an, H. Kra; Yeler, Zehra; Berber, Kra; Millova, Katarina; Sajjad, Saba; Dutra-Thom Luciana; Rahayu, Maria Nugraheni Mardi; Rasyida, Afinnisa; Aprodita, Nindya Putri; Mishra, Shefali; Sharma, Payal; Srivastava, Akancha; Dermitzaki, Irini; Spyrou, Anastasia; Mante, Emmanouela; Laila, Ume, “The Relationship Between Developmental Crisis and Meaning in Life in Emerging Adulthood: An Analysis of Data from Eight Countries,” CHRIST (Deemed To Be University) Institutional Repository, accessed June 18, 2026, https://archives.christuniversity.in/items/show/21900.

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