Who am I? Where am I going? These are two of the most fundamental questions facing young people during the transition to adulthood. However, these two questions cannot be dissociated: identity resolution is incomplete without a sense of purpose, but finding a purpose in life is difficult without a growing sense of personal identity. Thus, purpose and identity can be seen as dialogic components in the transition to adulthood; they are the two legs young people need to move, in coordination but not necessarily in simultaneity, for personal development and positive life trajectories.

This chapter explores purpose as a resource for identity development in emerging adulthood, and identity achievement as a catalyst for a stronger sense of purpose in life. It is structured in four parts. First, we will introduce the concept of identity exploration and resolution. Second, we will review the literature on purpose in life and its association with well-being and mental health. Third, we will discuss the relationship between identity and purpose, through the lens of commitment, as a bridging element between both constructs. Finally, we close with a conclusion on the need to provide young people with a set of skills and resources to help them navigate the transition to adulthood, understood as the acquisition of a strong identity and sense of purpose.