To What Extent Do Young Adults Meet the Five Needs for Independence? A Latent Class Analysis

Esther M.A. Geurts*, Anne K. Smit, Stephanie Wagner, Hélène H.M. Leenders, Maria W.J. Jansen, Christian J.P.A. Hoebe, Rianne P. Reijs

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Young adults determined five needs which must be met to transition to adulthood: support, housing, study and work, income, and well-being. This study aimed to identify and describe subgroups of young adults and determine to what extent they meet the needs for independence, and to assess relations between subgroups and demographic characteristics. We conducted secondary data analysis of a population-based questionnaire, which included 2291 young adults (M age = 20.8 years, 71% female) living in South Limburg, the Netherlands. We adopted a person-centred approach, that is, latent class analysis, and identified four classes: Thriving (39%), Lacking support and well-being (29%), Widely struggling (18%) and Financially challenged (14%). Females and non-university students/graduates had higher odds of being members of the least thriving classes. Future research should focus on how support and cumulative disadvantage affect later life outcomes. We should broaden community, educational and institutional support systems to encourage and sustain meaningful relationships.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4-17
Number of pages14
JournalEmerging Adulthood
Volume13
Issue number1
Early online date12 Oct 2024
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 12 Oct 2024

Keywords

  • latent class analysis
  • needs for independence
  • transitions to adulthood
  • well-being
  • young adults

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