Emerging adulthood: Patterns of interpersonal relationships, alcohol consumption, and psychopathology

Abstract

Emerging Adulthood (EA) is a transitional stage between adolescence and adulthood, in which identity and new social roles are developed. The bonds established in childhood will influence psychopathology, alcohol consumption and the interpersonal relationships that will be established later on, being insecure attachment a risk factor for psychopathology. The aim of this study was determining the factors associated with psychological distress in EC. After signing informed consent, participants aged 18 to 25 years (n=217), 70% of whom were women, completed a survey that assessed adult attachment (CR), psychopathology (SA-45), emotional dependence (ED) (IRIDS-100) and alcohol consumption (AUDIT). Insecure attachment styles, emotional codependence and anxious-depressive symptomatology predominated. A poorer self-model was related to greater psychological distress and dysfunctional interpersonal relationships. Alcohol consumption was positively related to greater psychopathology and emotional dependence. Our study underlines that it would be interesting to promote secure affective bonds in childhood to prevent psychological distress in the future, as well as dysfunctional interpersonal relationships.