Infantilism of the adult generation as an inevitable modern reality

Background. The article is devoted to the problem of kidultism – the infantilism of the adult generation as an inevitable reality of our time. In today's culture, where it is completely acceptable to deny one's own age, there are young people who want to become adults early and, conversely, adults who want to be forever young. Age boundaries, along with attitudes and lifestyles, have become uncertain and fluid. It is assumed that modern reality, with its media, market and advertising, has played a fundamental role in this transformation of life stages, gradually blurring the criteria for measuring youth, which has given people who have become older more opportunities to maintain the impression of youth.

Methodology. The article examines how the escape of people from their biological age through the desire to wear teenage clothes, anti-aging procedures, search for extreme experiences and entertainment, lack of investment in long-term relationships and property becomes a natural process of standardization of the modern lifestyle of young people and middle-aged people. Various definitions of kidultism as a symbol of immaturity, avoidance of responsibility and escape from adult identity are compared. To achieve the purpose of the research, a comparative respondents’ study of different age groups was conducted using A.A. Seregina’s questionnaire “Level of infantilism”. Statistical comparison of the study results was carried out using Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test.

Results. The results of the research allow us to diagnose the level of infantilism for people of different age groups. Typical features and psychological characteristics of kidults are determined, starting with immaturity and ending with a high level of suggestibility and irresponsibility.

Practical implications. The main approaches to understanding kidults as an age and activity group are highlighted, and the interpretation of their psychological portrait is determined from the point of view including culture, social spheres, anthropology and developmental psychology.  The results of the diagnostic study can be applied to determine the level of infantilism for people of different age groups, which will allow for psychological and pedagogical support of respondents and identify opportunities for psychological counseling.