Self-regulatory processes and psychological symptoms among emerging adults

The study examines the relevance of self-regulatory processes such as decision-making abilities and the setting of appropriate goals to the understanding of psychological problems in young adulthood. Sixty-three patients referred to a clinic for young adults and 63 non-patient counterparts were included in the study. Participants' levels of psychological symptoms, attainment of age-related tasks, decision-making ability, and setting of appropriate age-related goals were assessed. As could be expected, patients reported a higher number of psychological symptoms and lower practical independence than non-patients. However, patients and non-patients also differed consistently on self-regulatory processes, such that patients showed lower decision-making ability, a less consolidated outlook on life, and greater difficulty in setting adaptive goals. Incorporation of a developmental regulation perspective suggests that emerging adults with psychological problems are also deficient in their inner ability to cope with age-related tasks. Awareness of these self-regulatory deficiencies is relevant to understanding psychopathology at this developmental stage and to tailoring interventions.