The Influence of a Small Christian University's Culture on Selected Characteristics of Emerging Adulthood

In the past 50 years researchers have identified a number of demographic shifts occurring within industrialized societies that have resulted in changes in the nature of the developmental processes occurring in young adults. Arnett (2000 Arnett , J. J. ( 2000 ). A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties . American Psychologist , 55 , 469 – 480 .Crossref], PubMed], Web of Science ®] , Google Scholar]) labels this new, socially constructed time period, between the ages of 18 and 25 years, as emerging adulthood. His theory posits that culture plays a strong role in young peoples' transition to adulthood. The present study, modeled after Nelson (2003 Nelson , L. J. (2003). Rites of passage in emerging adulthood: Perspectives of young Mormons. New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development , 100, 33–49. Google Scholar]), was undertaken to explore the possible role that a university subculture may play in the process of the emergence of individuals into young adults. This study investigated the level of student involvement, subjective perceptions of adulthood status, religious identity, and behavioral activities of students attending a small Christian university located in Northern California. The results support the belief that the norms and values of a subculture may influence its members in ways that are different than the majority culture. Future studies, designed to better understand the impact of the university culture on emerging adults, are suggested.