Adolescence and the transition to young adulthood

The purpose of this study is to investigate how a previously surveyed group of teenagers have developed into young adulthood, and to look at a new group of teenagers in order to examine the effects of changing social and educational circumstances over the last 13 years. This study will follow up earlier studies of adolescents with a detailed investigation of life for adolescents and young adults at the start of the 21st century.

[Further details to follow.]

Impact

• Detailed scientific data documenting the progress of today’s teenagers, and the issues effecting a successful transition from adolescence to adulthood, examining a range of social, behavioural and cognitive skills against a background of family circumstances, attitudes, statutory care provision, and educational placement.
• A clearer understanding of how young people with Down syndrome see their lives and their futures, and an analysis of how well they are being helped to achieve their aims.
• Recommendations for further educational and social provision to better assist young people with Down syndrome to become independent adults