Exploring the Utility of the Emerging Adulthood Theory Among Military Members and Veterans with Risky Substance Use

Kelly Lynn Clary; Topaz Lavi; Douglas C. Smith; Jessica Saban

doi:10.1177/21676968211058517

Exploring the Utility of the Emerging Adulthood Theory Among Military Members and Veterans with Risky Substance Use

Kelly Lynn Clary, Topaz Lavi, Douglas C. Smith, Jessica Saban

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Emerging adult (EA; aged 18–29) military members experience major career, life, and developmental transitions. The conglomeration of these changes may influence or exacerbate anxiety or stress, produce challenges, and lead to negative coping mechanisms, such as substance use. This study sought to understand the utility of the five Emerging Adulthood Theory (EAT) dimensions among a sample of military members and veterans with risky substance use. To our knowledge, the applicability of EAT has not been explored with United States military populations. During 2019, we completed 24 semi-structured interviews. On average, participants were 24.9 years old, male, white, and in the United States Marine Corps. We asked about experiences transitioning into adulthood, military culture, and experiences of the five EAT dimensions. Three coders employed rigorous theory-driven thematic analysis procedures to piece together themes. We report EA military members’ experiences with the EAT dimensions, focusing on nuances related to the influence of military culture.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	639-644
Number of pages	6
Journal	Emerging Adulthood
Volume	10
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/21676968211058517
State	Published - Jun 2022

Keywords

emerging adults
military/veterans
qualitative methods
theory
transitioning

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Developmental and Educational Psychology
Life-span and Life-course Studies

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10.1177/21676968211058517

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title = "Exploring the Utility of the Emerging Adulthood Theory Among Military Members and Veterans with Risky Substance Use",

abstract = "Emerging adult (EA; aged 18–29) military members experience major career, life, and developmental transitions. The conglomeration of these changes may influence or exacerbate anxiety or stress, produce challenges, and lead to negative coping mechanisms, such as substance use. This study sought to understand the utility of the five Emerging Adulthood Theory (EAT) dimensions among a sample of military members and veterans with risky substance use. To our knowledge, the applicability of EAT has not been explored with United States military populations. During 2019, we completed 24 semi-structured interviews. On average, participants were 24.9 years old, male, white, and in the United States Marine Corps. We asked about experiences transitioning into adulthood, military culture, and experiences of the five EAT dimensions. Three coders employed rigorous theory-driven thematic analysis procedures to piece together themes. We report EA military members{\textquoteright} experiences with the EAT dimensions, focusing on nuances related to the influence of military culture.",

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author = "Clary, {Kelly Lynn} and Topaz Lavi and Smith, {Douglas C.} and Jessica Saban",

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year = "2022",

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doi = "10.1177/21676968211058517",

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N1 - The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: The development of this article was supported by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Career Center’s Robert P. Larsen Career Development Grant. The views, however, are those of the authors and do not reflect official positions of the UIUC Career Center.

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Exploring the Utility of the Emerging Adulthood Theory Among Military Members and Veterans with Risky Substance Use

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