EMOTIONAL & SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN ADOLESCENCE

Emotional & Social Development in Adolescence

Self-Understanding & Identity (Chapters 16.1 to 16.2)

Changes in Self-Concept (16.1.1)

• Shift from middle childhood to adolescence involves a change in perspective:
  • Middle childhood: Focus on personality traits (inward view).
  • Adolescence: Consideration of social roles and contexts (home, school, sports, peer groups, etc.).

Changes in Self-Esteem (16.1.2)

• In most industrialized nations, self-esteem tends to increase during adolescence.
• This increase is attributed to:
  • Growing sense of mastery
  • Autonomy
  • Social opportunities
• Teenagers may dismiss activities where they feel inadequate.
• Self-esteem typically stabilizes in late adolescence and early adulthood.

Factors That Affect Self-Esteem (16.1.3)

• Gender: Females in industrialized nations often have lower self-esteem than males.
• Parenting: Authoritative parenting is linked to stable and favorable self-esteem.
• School: A growth mindset, high expectations, and supportive teachers positively influence academic self-esteem.
• Peers: Acceptance by peers can buffer against negative influences on self-esteem.

Identity (16.2)

• Erik Erikson recognized identity as a significant personality attainment.
• Identity is defined as an explicit theory of oneself, where an individual takes responsibility for their life.
• During adolescence, teens undergo identity formation, which may involve an identity crisis (temporary and part of the process; Identity vs. Role Confusion).
• For many, identity development is a process of exploration followed by commitment, rather than a traumatic experience.

Paths to Identity (16.2.1)

• Two key psychosocial criteria (Erikson) are:
  • Exploration
  • Commitment
• Four Identity Statuses:
  1. Identity Achievement (best)
  2. Identity Moratorium (good)
  3. Identity Foreclosure (not good)
  4. Identity Diffusion (troubling)

Identity and Psychological Well-Being (16.2.2)

• Identity achievement and identity moratorium are healthy paths to self-definition.
• Long-term identity foreclosure and identity diffusion are considered maladaptive.
• Identity-achieved individuals or those actively exploring tend to have higher self-esteem.
• Ruminative individuals (excessively concerned with making the right choice) may experience psychological distress and poor long-term adjustment.
• Long-term diffused teenagers are the least mature in identity development.

Factors Affecting Identity Development (16.2.3)

• Factors include:
  • Personality
  • Family
  • Peers
  • School, Community, & Culture

Personality

• Identity status is both a cause and outcome of personality characteristics.
• Important traits include:
  • Curiosity
  • Open-mindedness
  • Persistence
  • Use of rational criteria for decision-making

Family

• Parents provide emotional support and freedom to explore.
• Families serve as a