Quarterlife Crisis in the UK and India: Perceived Standards and Unfulfilled Expectations

The term “quarterlife crisis” is associated with difficulties transitioning to adulthood that are accompanied by feelings of panic, loss, and uncertainty. However, we argue that this experience could vary largely depending on the sociocultural context and requires delving into nuances to understand and appreciate the lived experiences of the young population transitioning in different contexts. The aim of this study is to explore young people’s experiences of quarterlife crises triggered from interactions with the social environment, taking into consideration both British and Indian contexts. Our participants are 22-30 years of age from the UK (n=16) and India (n=8) who self-define as having experienced difficulties “finding one’s place in the world.” Data were generated through photo-elicitation and timeline interviewing and analysed with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. We focus here on one of the themes derived from this project: “perceived standards and unfulfilled expectations,” which involves the sub-themes of playing catch up, feeling responsible, and living up to social expectations. We consider our findings in light of Robinson and Smith’s (2010) theory of early adult crisis. Our study adds detail and subtlety with respect to ways in which young people experience threats to their self-worth as a central feature of quarterlife crisis within individualist and collectivist cultures

Photo-elicitation and time-lining to enhance the research interview: Exploring the quarterlife crisis of young adults in India and the UK

The aim of this article is to convey our experience of using photo-elicitation along with time-lining to enhance the research interview. We reflect on a study on the ‘quarterlife crisis’ in India and the UK. Participants were aged 22-30 years and self-defined as having experienced difficulties ‘finding their place in the world.’ There were 16 British (8 women, 8 men) and 8 Indian participants (4 women; 4 men). First, we consider how photo-elicitation proved highly compatible with our method of analysis – interpretative phenomenological analysis – through affording a deep connection with participant experience. Second, we explore how participants engaged with photo-elicitation and time-lining, providing examples of image content (events and feelings), image form (literal and symbolic), and creative use of timelines. Third, we reflect on how photo-elicitation and time-lining appeared to enhance participant agency, and to have a therapeutic value for participants, as well as providing particularly rich material for analysis

Understanding and Supporting Young Adults through the 'Quarterlife Crisis'

Introduction: Transitions to adulthood typically involve searching for a life partner, settling on an occupation, and discovering ‘who one is’. Some find this transition difficult and experiences panic, loss, and uncertainty. The term ‘quarterlife crisis’ has been applied to such experiences. Aim: This thesis aimed to understand the experience of ‘quarterlife crisis’ among young people from two cultural groups: UK and India. The objectives were to identify the triggers for, and forms of, ‘quarterlife crisis’, responses and coping strategies to crisis; and how we may prevent ‘quarterlife crises’ and / or lessen its burden on young people. Methods: Young people aged 22-30 years from India (n=8) and the UK (n=16), who identified with experiencing challenges making their ‘transitions to adulthood’, were recruited. Data generation was highly participant-led, supported through a novel combination of photo-elicitation and time-line interviewing. Data was subjected to Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, supported through use of participant generated images. Findings: Four themes were generated explicating the crisis experience - Smooth navigation and self-fulfilment, Perceived standards and unfulfilled expectations, Becoming and knowing oneself and Forced ‘adulthood’/independence. Participants’ expectations about the transition to adulthood were often not met. At the crux of the crisis experience was feeling stagnant, unprepared and overwhelmed, experienced differently based on cultural and educational background. People deployed both personal and social resources in response to their crisis. Getting reassurance about their personal capabilities or skills and developing new perspective of their transitional experiences appeared particularly helpful. Conclusion: Findings appeal for greater sensitivity to social, cultural, economic and political contexts that influence the ‘quarterlife crisis’, and call for rethinking of development theories which propose a linear progression to adulthood. How we can best support young people in their transition should be the responsibilities of policy-makers, educational institutions, families and young people themselves

Using cocreated visually informed community mental health education in low‐ and middle‐income countries: A case study of youth substance misuse in Assam, India

Abstract Introduction Our aim is to evaluate the visually informed community mental health education materials cocreated in our research on youth substance misuse in Assam, India, and to reflect on what we might learn for similar initiatives in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Methods Materials consist of: (i) images participants brought to the interview; (ii) 30 posters cocreated by participants to convey key messages from their interview; (iii) six short films on the implications of addiction, and (iv) an animation of our Pathways to Recovery model. We also created a community education package that incorporated these materials. We analyse feedback from three groups of events and a social media campaign, which drew variably across our materials and engaged a range of audiences. Results Outcomes indicate the cocreation process and focus on the visual was successful in promoting young people's voice, increasing awareness and has potential for stigma reduction. Our educational package was deemed useful in increasing awareness and has potential for prevention and treatment. Conclusions Our case study offers insights into community mental health education in low‐ and middle‐income countries, confirming the importance of cocreation, the usefulness of visual materials and the potential of social media campaigns while acknowledging the importance of local context in health messaging, particularly for stigmatized topics. Patient or Public Contribution Service users were involved in the cocreation of the materials evaluated in this study and contributed as presenters in one of the events reported. Members of the public took part in events in which the materials were shared and provided us with the feedback analysed in this article

Experiences of newly qualified dentists in delivering oral health advice to parents/caregivers of young children—challenges and solutions

IntroductionA key skill for dental professionals to master is their ability to have effective preventive oral health conversations. On qualifying, UK dentists undertake a one-year foundation training programme in general practice. This study explored with Foundation Dentists, the barriers and facilitators to undertaking oral health conversations with parents/caregivers and their children, aged 0–11 years old.Materials and methodsApproximately 100 Foundation Dentists from the Yorkshire and Humber region attended a series of focus groups. They discussed how they and their wider dental team undertake oral health conversations with parents/caregivers of young children, aged 0–11 years old. The data was analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsFive themes were identified as barriers and facilitators to providing oral health advice: (1) Lack of knowledge around parenting skills and child development; (2) Parental receptivity; (3) Motivation for changing behaviours; (4) Information content and inconsistency; and (5) Current National Health Service (NHS) structures of general dental practice.DiscussionA multi-faceted approach is needed to develop the training of Foundation Dentists to undertake preventive oral health conversations with parents/caregivers and children. Such an approach has the potential to improve the patient-practitioner relationship and increase effective behaviour change conversations taking place in general dental care, thus improving children's oral health