Woolfe, R., Strawbridge, S., Douglas, B. & Dryden, W. (2009). Handbook of Counselling Psychology, 3.ed. London: SAGE.  Del I, II og IV.

Young people faces a big task in emerging adulthood and an increased number of young people experience distress. Problems with working with young people can be due to race, body perceptions, sex or drug abuse.

Psychological problems in emerging adulthood often deals with personal problems in relation to the family and friends, the perception of the world, attitudes to sexual development and identity.

Many young people often finds that they do not have a problem but has been encouraged by parents, GP or friends to start therapy.

Young people in emerging adulthood is split between loyalty to the family and childhood assumptions and their own autonomy and network of independence.

Young people are working to be independent individuals at the same times as they still feels dependent in some ways of the family. Erikson called it psychosocial moratorium when young people testes identity. They experience separation and loss of relations. Separation is being eased by a secure base to get home to, but if the parents can’t support this the young person can not get the psychological detachment, distinction and approval and then the problems develops. If the young person should perform the parent-role, the separation is hindered as well. Then the problem with independence contra dependence occurs.

This problem is often worked with in counselling psychology.

Failures in work or studies can lead to personal failures, apathy immobilization and a feeling of futility.

Suicidal behaviour is a big problem and it is difficult to access as only few gets help. You can recognize a person who is approaching suicide by the indifference and disregard they see in the world, their lack of ability in school settings and the focus on cruelty and harm.

One of the biggest problems for young people is the ability to create close relationships and to understand emotions and interpersonal experiences in a meaningful way. Cultural norms of sex roles is learned through earlier relations and brings issues of behaviour and personality with it. Only very few are androgynous (maintain both feminine and masculine traits).

You should be careful to diagnose and stigmatize young people.