Philippine E-Journals

Lost In Transition: Emerging Evidence Of Peter Pan Syndrome Among Adults Within Workplace

Karelle Jansen Andres | Glorelie Valen Joie Topinio | Grace Lyn Divina | Jhoanna Marie Guitering

Discipline: personal development

 

Abstract:

Peter Pan Syndrome is a psychological construct used to describe individuals who have reached adult age yet show a strong reluctance to assume adult responsibilities. Due to imprudent actions, people with Peter Pan Syndrome exhibit emotional immaturity and/or dependency, which may negatively affect their social, interpersonal, and professional relationships. This research aimed to determine the degree of Peter Pan Syndrome among adults in the workplace and to examine whether the demographic variables significantly influence the development of the syndrome. The overall adult population in the University of La Salette, Inc.'s College and Senior High School Department, aged 18 to 65, was surveyed to gather data. The population was stratified per department to represent the entire population, and the researchers conducted the Dodd and Mead (1983) test to the level of Peter Pan Syndrome; the same instrument was utilized in the study of Mandac et al. (2015). Results revealed that 53.7% of the respondents scored within the range, indicating a higher likelihood of developing Peter Pan Syndrome. Furthermore, statistical analysis showed that demographic variables such as sex and employment status had no significant association with the likelihood of developing the syndrome. The study contributes to a better understanding of adult developmental challenges and recommends the need for further research focusing on other potential variables, like cultural variations and psychosocial factors that may contribute to the persistence of Peter Pan–like traits in adulthood.