DEVELOPMENTAL CRISIS IN EARLY ADULTHOOD: A ...

a proactive exploration through inner and outer alternatives for a new, more coherent,
more autonomous, more balanced life structure.
10.6 Comparing Current Model with Models of Transition and Clinical Change
In the literature review of Chapter 2 several models of ‘life transition’ were
presented; those of O’Connor and Wolfe (1987), and Hopson and Adams (1974).
These models of transition provide points of comparison for the model of early adult
crisis described in Chapter 9. O’Connor and Wolfe studied the process of the midlife
transition. Their sample age band was 35-50, so compared with the 25-40 age band of
the current research there is a five-year age overlap. They developed a model with
five phases; Stability, Rising discontent, Crisis, Re-direction and Adaptation and
Stabilisation (see page 15 in Chapter 2 for more detail on these phases). Hopson and
Adams’ model is a more general model of transition, which they claim is a predictable
sequence of reactions to any major life disruption. It has seven phases;
Immobilisation, Trivialisation, Depression, Acceptance, Experimentation, Search for
Meaning and Internalisation (see page 14 in Chapter 2 for more detail).
The phases of the three models are compared in Table XIII, with those that
share commonality represented in the same horizontal row. Four of the five phases of
O’Connor and Wolfe’s model do map onto the four phases of Chapter 9’s model,
while some of Hopson and Adams’ phases also correspond in content and sequence.
Table XIII. Comparing Phases of the Current Model with Two Models of Transition
Chapter 9 Model O’Connor and Wolfe Hopson and Adams
1. Stability
1. Growing Crisis:
Constriction
2 .Rising Discontent 1. Immobilisation
2. Trivialisation
2. Peak Crisis: Separation 3. Crisis 3. Depression
3. Late Crisis: Exploration 4. Re-Direction and
Adaptation
4. Accepting reality for what it is
5. Experimentation
6. Search for Meaning
4. Post-Crisis: Equilibration 5. Re-stabilizing 7. Internalization
The first commonality is between the current model’s first phase of
“Constriction” and O’Connor and Wolfe’s second phase of “Rising Discontent”. In
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