Most existing research concerning the transition from adolescence to adulthood is narrowly focused on the healthcare setting; few studies have investigated this process holistically while including the viewpoints of young adults and their caregivers. We explored the transition from adolescence to adulthood from the perspectives of multiple constituent groups with a vested interest and expertise in this process. We utilized Transition Design, a novel, qualitative methodology. We asked participants to engage in six visual mind-mapping exercises to identify problems associated with the transition to adulthood, and then solve these problems by creating a more sustainable and equitable future model. We collected data from these exercises using the virtual whiteboard platform Miro and applied thematic analysis to code for key themes. A total of 25 participants completed the exercises (7 young adults, 5 young adult caregivers, 4 social services providers, 9 healthcare providers). Overall, all participants focused on mental health and increasing access to resources. However, each constituent group prioritized a different aspect and level of society in their responses; young adults emphasized large-scale societal themes and structural changes, social services providers emphasized improving access to community resources, caregivers emphasized the role of advocacy, and healthcare providers emphasized the health sector. Results highlight the complexity of transition across broad societal domains and the unique perspectives of constituent groups. These results can help to inform future research in this area while improving transition from adolescence to adulthood, both within and outside of the healthcare setting. • Transition Design is a novel methodology which was adapted to evaluate the transition from adolescence to adulthood. • Participants included young adults, young adult caregivers, social services providers, and healthcare providers. • Each group analyzed and improved transition, creating their own model for a more sustainable and equitable future. • Group responses were qualitatively coded, yielding key similarities and differences.
Jarrell et al. (Thu,) studied this question.