Our participants are growing up—and they’re doing well!
Thanks to the continued involvement of families like yours, we’re gaining valuable insight into how young people are doing as they transition into adulthood. Here’s what we’ve recently learned from our age 22 survey:
- Young people are finding their way.
83% of participants were in school or working at the time of the survey, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. - They’re feeling good about their lives.
85% of young adults report being satisfied with their lives at the time of the interview. - Family bonds remain strong.
90% of young adults report being close to one or both of their biological parents. - They’re reaching key milestones.
90% of young adults had graduated high school by the time they completed the age 22 survey.
These numbers tell a powerful story—one of strength, connection, and hope. And telling this story is only possible because of your participation. Together, we’re helping researchers, educators, policymakers, and many more understand what supports young people as they grow into adulthood.
Employment Findings from Age 22
Young adults are stepping into the workforce—and laying the foundation for their future.
By age 22, 71% of participants were working—a strong sign of early engagement in
jobs and careers. Among those employed:
- 40% had paid sick leave
- 46% had health insurance through their job
- 48% had access to paid vacation
These early steps into the workforce are encouraging—and they also point to opportunities for improving job quality and benefits for young workers. Your continued participation helps shine a light on what supports young adults as they build stable, healthy futures.
Health and Mental Health Findings from Age 22
Most young adults are in good physical health—but mental health challenges remain, especially for young women.
At age 22, the majority of young adults in the study rated their physical health as good, very good, or excellent, with only a small share describing their health as fair or poor. This is an encouraging sign as they transition into adulthood.
At the same time, mental health remains an area of concern—particularly for young women:
- Nearly half of all young women reported symptoms consistent with depression.
- More than 1 in 4 young women said they had received a formal diagnosis of depression from a doctor.
- Black and Hispanic young women were the least likely to receive a diagnosis, despite Black women being the most likely to report depressive symptoms.
These findings point to real disparities in how mental health is experienced and treated—and underscore the importance of access to care, community support, and culturally responsive mental health services. Your continued participation helps researchers better understand these challenges and work toward solutions that support young people’s wellbeing.