Human Development and Families Studies Department, 604 Oswald Tower, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802.
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Early Family Transitions and Depressive Symptom Changes From Adolescence to Early Adulthood
Article first published online: 23 JAN 2008
DOI: 10.1111/j.1741-3737.2007.00457.x
Additional Information
How to Cite
Booth, A., Rustenbach, E. and McHale, S. (2008), Early Family Transitions and Depressive Symptom Changes From Adolescence to Early Adulthood. Journal of Marriage and Family, 70: 3–14. doi: 10.1111/j.1741-3737.2007.00457.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 23 JAN 2008
- Article first published online: 23 JAN 2008
- Abstract
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Keywords:
- cohabitation;
- depression;
- emergent adulthood;
- life events;
- life transitions;
- marital status;
- transition to parenthood;
- youth
Some research and theory suggest that early cohabitation, parenthood, and marriage have negative long-term implications. Nevertheless, in the context of their resources and opportunities, early transitions may represent positive choices for some individuals. We studied the family and personal characteristics of young adults (N = 8,172) who did, versus those who did not, make early family transitions. We assessed changes in their depressive symptoms from adolescence to young adulthood. Individuals who made early family transitions were disadvantaged in many respects, but differed little from those who did not with respect to changes in depressive symptoms. That they stay “even” with those who do not make transitions suggests that some young adults make positive choices from among limited options.