Navigating New Beginnings: Embracing Change and Life Transitions
Throughout our lives, each of us will experience various changes and life milestones, such as graduating from post-secondary education and transitioning into the workforce, having children, retirement, or moving cities or provinces [1]. New beginnings can impact all aspects of our lives and evoke a variety of feelings. For instance, significant life changes may:
Lead to a loss/disruption of routine and require adaptation to a new environment [1]
Result in a loss of family and friend support networks and the need to develop new connections [1,2]
Generate feelings of fear, uncertainty, and a lack of preparedness [1]
Influence mental health trajectories including increased depressive symptoms and expressed anger [2]
Research on Life Transitions and Mental Health Across the Lifespan
Research indicates that there is an association between life transitions, mental health, and life satisfaction, particularly in emerging adulthood (i.e., ages 18-25). Additionally, life transitions in mid-adulthood may include changes in marital or employment status which can also have significant impacts on mental health and affect.
Emerging adulthood is often described as being diverse and unpredictable, where individuals navigate self-discovery and identity formation [3]. Mental health during this time can greatly influence overall life satisfaction. For instance, one study found that young women undergoing transitions like employment changes experience higher levels of depression and stress compared to men, and that such mental health concerns can negatively impact life satisfaction [2,4].
Researchers found that moving in or marrying a partner was linked to increases in women’s wellbeing, whereas motherhood and leaving the workforce was linked to worse well-being [4].
Recent research found that, unsurprisingly, stressful life events are associated with depressive symptoms, anxiety, and other signs of distress [5]. However, research suggests that stressful life events have less of an impact on mental health when people have a strong social network and support. In other words, social support helps to mitigate against the impacts of stressful life events on mental health.
Similar to emerging adulthood, older adulthood (ages 55 and older) is also characterized by increased uncertainty and significant life transitions.
This time period may be associated with changes such as retirement, loss of relationships, increased isolation, children leaving home, and more. Such significant changes can increase the likelihood of depression, which further impacts one’s quality of life, daily functioning, and perceptions of social support [6].
What Steps Can be Taken to Successfully Navigate New Beginnings?
The answer to that question seems to be to set goals and be adaptable! Research shows that young adults who set goals during periods of significant life change tend to report better mental health and well-being. Further, a key factor for increased well-being and life satisfaction amongst life transitions is adaptability (the ability to adapt one’s emotions, thoughts and behaviours to fit a given situation) and the willingness to accept and adjust future plans and outcomes [7,8]. It can be helpful to view life transitions as an opportunity for agency, personal development, and acceptance. The perception of transitions as an opportunity for growth and autonomy can serve as a beneficial way to approach major life transitions across any life stage or age.
Finally, a framework known as the Life Course Theory introduces the Four C’s which can be used for personal development and navigating new beginnings [7]. The Four C’s include:
Channeling: This involves harnessing your beliefs, structures, and experiences to influence your motivation and developmental trajectory. For example, if you believe that learning new skills will enhance your career prospects, you might actively seek out professional development opportunities or educational courses.
Choosing (Choice): This is about selecting your environment and life path based on your goals and values. For instance, if you value a balanced work-life schedule, you might choose a job that offers flexible hours or remote work options.
Co-Agency: This involves working collaboratively with others to achieve your goals. For example, if you're working towards a career advancement, you might seek mentorship or network with colleagues to gain support and insights that help you navigate challenges.
Co-Regulation: This refers to integrating feedback and adjusting your approach as needed. For instance, if a new project at work isn't going as planned, you might seek feedback from your supervisor and adjust your strategy to better meet the project's requirements.
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Written By:
Kelty MacGillivray, BA, WellIntel Talks Volunteer
References:
[1] Lucas, R., Cage, E., & James, A. I. (2018). Expectations of the University to Post-Graduation Transition of Students with Mental Health Conditions. Psychology Teaching Review, 24(1), 79-81.
[2] Howard, A. L., Galambos, N. L., & Krahn, H. J. (2010). Paths to success in young adulthood from mental health and life transitions in emerging adulthood. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 34(6), 538-546.
[3] Arnett, J. J. (2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American psychologist, 55(5), 469.
[4] Lee, C., & Gramotnev, H. (2007). Life transitions and mental health in a national cohort of young Australian women. Developmental psychology, 43(4), 877.
[5] Sehmi, R., Maughan, B., Matthews, T., & Arseneault, L. (2020). No man is an island: social resources, stress and mental health at mid-life. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 217(5), 638-644.
[6] Blazer D. G. (2003). Depression in late life: review and commentary. The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences, 58(3), 249–265. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/58.3.m249
[7] Salmela-Aro, K. (2009). Personal goals and well-being during critical life transitions: The four C's—Channelling, choice, co-agency and compensation. Advances in life course research, 14(1-2), 63-73.
[8] Skerrett, K., Spira, M., & Chandy, J. (2022). Emerging elderhood: Transitions from midlife. Clinical social work journal, 50(4), 377-386.