Examines the constructs of individuation, differentiation, and identity formation from the individual development and family system theory perspectives. States that individuation and identity formation process encompass both the individual's efforts toward separation from family of origin and impact of these efforts on identity formation and the…

Media critics point to adolescents' exposure to "sexy" television and popular music. Developmental transitions lead to increased information seeking, and developmental tasks force adolescents to find information sources other than their parents, implying a link between sexy media and adolescent development. Media research informed by knowledge of…

A specialized apperception test for physically impaired adolescents was developed. Cards depicting various scenes with physically impaired male and female models were designed to elicit themes relevant for adolescent populations. Two raters evaluated how well each card elicited issues identified in the literature as pertinent to physically…

Reviews theoretical models of the imaginary audience and the personal fable and the empirical data pertaining to each model. Highlights problems surrounding the two most commonly used measures. Outlines directions for future research, so that a better understanding of the imaginary audience and personal fable, and their roles in adolescent…

Studied self-monitoring attributes of 239 adolescents. Results showed that adolescents highly adept at self-monitoring displayed social competencies most related to interpersonal adequacy, poise, and ascendance; however, medium levels of self-monitoring were associated most with interpersonal values, maturity, and responsibility. Generally,…

Study examined relationship between university students' living arrangements; their identity development status; degree of life difficulties experienced; and manner in which they coped with difficulties. In general, those who did not reside at home had greater levels of problems; used more direct, problem-focused coping strategies to solve their…

Reviews the period of adolescence in relation to religion, religion and society, and the impact of others on adolescent religious beliefs. Provides recommendations for adults who wish to aid the adolescent regarding religion. (Author/RK)

Administered demographic questionnaire and measure of ego development to 16 unmarried adolescent mothers and 14 older married mothers. Found that adolescents had significantly higher incidence of divorce in families of origin, lower mean length of relationship with partner prior to pregnancy, and lower stages of ego development. (Author/NB)

Article probed the significant moral dilemmas of adolescence, i.e., the need for self expression versus peer and adult pressures to behave in accordance with group and community standards. (RK)

There are potentially healthy adolescents who display excessive reluctance to move toward independent decision and action. This research presents a clinical description of this "syndrome", conceptualizes it as a defensive maneuver against mourning over cherished childhood dreams and offers steps for therapeutic intervention. (Editor/RK)

Results of comparisons between European adolescents' (N=170) and English adolescents' (N=820) responses on the Ideal Person Test indicated that boys make materialistic responses; that girls make social and altruistic responses; and that the difference in valuing between the sexes is greater than that between schools. (Author/BL)

Examines the literature on identity development of homosexual youth, and parental and familial influences on the coming out process. Research indicates that homosexual adolescents who have a close relationship with their parents and families tend to come out at a younger age and experience more positive identities than those who have a poor…

Explored the relationships between late adolescents' self-reported ego identity and individuation from their family of origin. Results indicated a significant relationship between adolescent's perceived involvement in their family's patterns of fusion and triangulation and the total score and three of the five subscale scores, from the identity…

Examined the relationship between ego identity, formal operations, and egocentrism in adolescents. Results indicated significant positive correlations between ego identity and formal operations and between ego identity and grade in school. Grade in school explained 21 percent of the variance while formal operational thinking, egocentrism, and sex…

Discusses the problems of adolescence, attitudes towards adolescents, and sexual interaction between adolescents. (RK)