Final answer:
Emerging adults face a higher risk of depression due to unemployment when they lack strong parental support. This risk is heightened by the prolonged transition to adulthood characterized by changes in cultural expectations and economic demands for higher education qualifications, leading to potential returns to the parental home and delays in career initiation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristic of emerging adults that places them at much higher risk for depression due to unemployment is largely due to significant life transitions and the lack of strong parental support. In the transition to adulthood, emerging adults are noted to be experimenting with various life directions, and the support—or lack thereof—from family can be crucial during this period. The pressures arising from the lack of adequate employment upon graduation and the subsequent possible return to the parental home, commonly referred to as the Boomerang Generation, highlight the challenges faced by these young adults. These challenges are compounded by changing cultural expectations and a competitive job market that requires higher levels of education, even for entry-level positions.
Risks of depression increase when these young adults face unemployment and have less family support to navigate through the setbacks. Cultural shifts and economic changes have effectively delayed the onset of adult life, leading to increased time spent on exploring options and accruing the necessary qualifications to begin a career. This prolonged period of preparation contributes to the vulnerability to depression amongst emerging adults during times of unemployment.