Meaning in life in emerging adulthood: Contributions to developmental psychology ; Sentido en la vida en la adultez emergente: Contribuciones para la psicología del desarrollo ; Signification de la vie à l'âge adulte émergent: Contributions à la psychologie du développement ; Sentido na Vida na Adultez Emergente: Contribuições para a Psicologia do Desenvolvimento

Emerging adulthood refers to the period of human development between adolescence and adulthood, which includes individuals between the ages of 18 and 29. The main characteristics of emerging adulthood are identity exploration, instability, self-focus, feelings of ambivalence, and a period of possibility. Due to the difficulties and challenges inherent to this period, the mental health of emerging adults must be promoted. One of the ways to positively contribute to increasing and maintaining the mental health of this population is the development of a sense of meaning in life. This theoretical study aimed to present the importance of meaning in life for the healthy development of emerging adults and contribute to discussions on this topic in the light of developmental psychology. To this end, the definition and importance of emerging adulthood, the specificities of emerging adulthood in the Brazilian context, the implications of meaning in life for the mental health of emerging adults, and the studies on meaning in life in emerging adulthood are presented and discussed. The research results indicate that the presence of a sense of meaning in life in emerging adults is related to processes of personal growth, self-realization, and positive mental functioning and that promoting meaning in life in this population can strengthen commitment to life itself and protect against risky behaviors. It is suggested that interventions that consider the specificities of emerging adulthood in the Brazilian context with a focus on meaning in life be carried out to contribute to the prevention and promotion of mental health in this population. ; La adultez emergente se refiere al período del desarrollo humano entre la adolescencia y la vida adulta, de lo cual hacen parte los individuos con edades entre 18 y 29 años. Las principales características de la adultez emergente son exploración de la identidad, inestabilidad, autofoco, sentimiento de ambivalencia y período de posibilidades. En función de las dificultades y retos propios ...