The Relationship Between Psychosocial Features of Emerging Adulthood and Substance Use Change Motivation in Youth

• We examine psychosocial features of emerging adulthood in treatment-seeking youth.
• Youth were seeking treatment for substance use problems.
• We examine motivation to change substance use as well as treatment motivation.
• Youth who perceive higher responsibility to others had higher motivation.
• We discuss implications for substance abuse treatment with emerging adults.

Despite the peak prevalence of substance use and comorbid mental health problems during emerging adulthood little research has focused on understanding behavior change processes during this transitional period. This study extended Arnett's (2004) theory of the psychosocial features of emerging adulthood to explore how they may relate to treatment motivation (e.g., readiness to comply with treatment) and motivation to change (e.g., problem recognition and taking steps towards change). One hundred sixty-four youth presenting to outpatient substance abuse treatment completed questionnaires investigating problematic substance use, mental health, psychosocial features of emerging adulthood and motivation. Results of hierarchical regression analyses indicated that youth who perceived themselves as having greater responsibility towards others were more intrinsically motivated, recognized their substance use as problematic and were taking steps towards change. None of the other dimensions of emerging adulthood accounted for significant variance beyond relevant controls. Limitations, directions for future research and treatment implications are discussed.