Young people remember positive, everyday moments more than crises, according to a recent study from the University of Zurich. Adolescents and young adults most often cite school, friendships, first relationships, and moving out of their parents’ home as the experiences that shape their lives rather than traumatic events.
Positive experiences dominate young adulthood
The research analyzed written responses from 1,442 participants surveyed at ages 15, 17, 20, and 24. Of the events described, 83% were positive. Nearly half involved education—school, training, or apprenticeships. Friendships and romantic relationships made up about 12%, while travel and personal growth accounted for smaller portions.
David Bürgin, a clinical developmental psychologist leading the study, said the results challenge the idea that youth is defined by turmoil. “Many young people primarily mention positive developmental steps such as education, relationships, and personal achievements,” he explained.
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Lilly Shanahan, another leader of the project, added that support services should broaden their focus. “Stable relationships, positive experiences, and opportunities to build confidence matter just as much as stress management,” she stated.
Stress still affects some groups
Not all participants reported the same experiences. Those with higher anxiety or depression were more likely to mention conflicts, loss, or setbacks. They also referenced travel or sports less often.
Priorities shifted with age. In mid-adolescence, school and friendships were central. By early adulthood, work, independence, and relationships became more important. Sports and social outings declined in mentions, while housing and family planning gained attention.
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Gender, social background, and migration experience influenced responses, but the main themes stayed consistent. The team used automated language processing to analyze thousands of open-ended answers, keeping the participants’ own words while spotting patterns.
Christina Haag, now at the University of Cambridge, highlighted the value of this method. “It keeps young people’s perspectives visible in their own words,” she said. The findings appeared in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and represent one of the first efforts to apply these techniques to large-scale, long-term data on youth experiences.
Most research on life events centers on crises, but this work shows a different side. The project was a collaboration between the Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development and the Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Prevention Institute at the university, funded by its Population Research Center.