38 Chapter #4 FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ONSET OF DEPRESSION IN YOUNG ADULTHOOD: A CASE STUDY Farheen Nasir Dr., Basic Science Dept. King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Alahsa, Saudi Arabia ABSTRACT Aim: This case study aimed to determine the factors for depression in young adulthood and design effective remedial measures. It is a single case study based on a male client of 28 years. Methods: The methods used to explore the case included the usage of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and projective techniques, namely Human Figure Drawing (HFD), Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) and Rorschach (ROR). Results: The results indicated moderate depression on BDI and various themes on projective analysis linked to parental conflict, strained interpersonal relations, use of defence mechanisms with neurotic personality characteristics leading to depression. Conclusion: The intervention designs were based on Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Parental Counseling and Supportive Therapy for externalization of interests, which resulted in gradual improvement. Keywords: case study, depression, factors, interventions, young adulthood. 1. INTRODUCTION Young adulthood, as defined by the Public Health Agency of Canada, is the time between the ages of 18-34, although new demarcation is also being done with the concept of emerging adulthood from 18-25 years of age (Arnett, 2000); where young people know the responsibilities of adulthood but still are in an exploratory phase, this is found more in western industrialized cultures. The transition from adolescence to adulthood (Jekielek & Brown, 2005) is growing into an independent person by completing studies, gaining financial freedom, and gaining an adult role of a worker, citizen, spouse, and parent. The transition can be an experience of growth and accomplishment combined with emotional maturity. However, for some, this transition is not very smooth, and people face various hurdles, especially when their life circumstances do not train them to lead an independent life while dealing with various aspects of life. To achieve this, parents must have a strong bonding with their children to know about their thoughts, fears and desires, thus guiding them appropriately for the real world, where fantasy does not always mingle well with reality and to avoid reality shocks. Many times, adolescents have high aspirations, and they want to please their parents at all costs; in the case where there is no strong understanding between the two children/adolescents start to hesitate in discussing their problems which results in other adverse outcomes. A study by Arnett (1995) on 300 young adults from around the nation with an age range of 18-29 years was done to explore their feelings and emotions while approaching adulthood; he discovered that most of them wanted to achieve independence while still being close to their families to get any support when required.