Kuch, Lisa2021-07-192021-07-192020http://hdl.handle.net/2440/131213This item is only available electronically.Emerging adulthood is a developmental phase between adolescence and adulthood that is unique and diverse in experiences. Past studies have looked at risky behaviours and stress in adolescents and emerging adults, but less have examined the predictors of positives outcomes in the transition to adulthood. Our study looked at the predictors of subjective wellbeing; specifically, it examined relationships between wellbeing and the importance attributed to, and attainment of various markers of adulthood, the psychological identity processes in emerging adulthood and the extent to which the three basic psychological needs specified by Self-Determination Theory – autonomy, competence and relatedness - are met. Two hundred and thirty undergraduate psychology students (aged 18-29 years) completed an online survey which assessed sociodemographic details, satisfaction with life, and positive and negative affect, as well as the markers of adulthood, psychological dimensions of emerging adulthood and satisfaction of basic psychological needs. Results found that markers of adulthood that were personally meaningful and attainable, and over which emerging adults likely to have some control were correlated with wellbeing. In contrast, markers with over which they had less control did not predict wellbeing. By comparing traditional methods focused on markers with the more recent approaches assessing psychological processes, results showed that emerging adults consider psychological characteristics and satisfaction of their basic psychological needs central to their experiences, however, how these factors relate to wellbeing in this period varied based on the measure of wellbeing used.Honours; PsychologyThesis