title: Family support in the transition to adulthood in Portugal--its effects on identity capital development, uncertainty management and psychological well-being.
abstract: In a familistic southern European society such as the Portuguese, the family has historically played a prominent role in supporting the negotiation of transition pathways into adulthood. The present study aimed at capturing (1) the relative weight of parental financial support and autonomy support in contributing to the youngsters' psychological well-being (PWB), and (2) the mediating role of identity capital and uncertainty management in this relationship. A total of 620 participants completed measures of parental support, identity capital, uncertainty management and PWB. Autonomy support was found to be the strongest predictor of PWB, both directly and indirectly through its effects on identity capital and the use of target focused uncertainty management strategies. Conversely, financial support evidenced only a minor indirect impact through the mediation of tangible identity capital. Autonomy stimulation may constitute one of the most developmentally determinant family challenges in assisting the process of coming of age in Portugal.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology and Education, Porto University, Portugal. Electronic address: egidiooliveira@gmail.com.
authors.forename: José Egídio
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology and Education, Porto University, Portugal.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mendonça
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology and Education, Porto University, Portugal.
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coimbra
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology and Education, Porto University, Portugal.
authors.forename: Anne Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Fontaine
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult / Q000523:psychology; D004467:Economics; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006803:Human Development; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D011174:Portugal; D012944:Social Support; D035501:Uncertainty; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Identity capital; Parental support; Psychological well-being; Uncertainty management