DEVELOPMENTAL CRISIS IN EARLY ADULTHOOD: A ...

8.
Study 3: Crisis, Persona and the Limits of an
Extrinsic Orientation
8.1 Aims
Study 3 continued the theory development process. Study 1 suggested a phase
structure to early adult crisis and gave evidence of developmental changes that
occurred over the course of the episodes. Study 2 provided deeper insights into
developmental shifts occurring over the course of early adult crisis, such as changes in
values, loss of persona, shift in gender identity and developing a more self-reflective
mindset. Study 2 was confined to conclusions about the single participant of the case
study, and so the first aim for Study 3 to open up the investigation of the Study 2
concepts to other individuals. A secondary aim was to continue developing and
testing the phases that emerged from Study 1. A third aim was to move towards an
integration of findings into a provisional model of early adult crisis.
8.2 Method
Sample and Participants
The sample was composed of 6 individuals; 3 men and 3 women. In order to
promote cross-case comparison between the six respondents, individuals were
recruited within only one of the three clusters that emerged in Study 1, the “All
Consuming Crisis” cluster, which subsumes crises originate in problems at home and
at work. Guy in Study 2 was also from this cluster, and so it promoted comparison of
cases in this study with his. Crises in this cluster are often the most substantial crises
and so are the most likely to show transformation and change, which is a major focus
in this study.
Recruitment for Study 3 used two strategies. 5 of the 6 participants were
recruited via email circulars within Birkbeck College, and 1 by way of the
“participant panel” (refer to Chapter 5 for more on these recruitment sources). Table
XIII summarises the professions, current age, age at onset of crisis and form of further
study for the 6 participants.
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