This study compared the level of ego development of 30 women with histories of childhood sexual victimization and 30 women with no history of abuse. Results indicated no significant difference in ego levels between groups, with a slight trend toward higher ego development in the abused group. (Author/DB)

This study considered the interrelationships among biological maturation and its physical correlates, social physique anxiety, and appearance-related physical self-perceptions in 113 adolescent female figure skaters participating in solo (n = 73) or partner contexts (n = 40). Participants were interviewed about their menarcheal status, underwent a…

The adolescent personality, adult maturity, competence, and quality of marital relations associated with paternal competence were assessed by a longitudinal study of highly educated fathers. Paternal competence was rated by the fathers and their wives. (MS)

Tests a different design to help isolate elements that contribute to positive self-concept development. There was a significant increase in self-awareness between the pre- and posttests. Diversity of activities of a "doing" and reflective nature are those elements related to self-awareness change. (Author)

Three biographical interviews over 3 years were conducted with 100 young adults. Cases of three disadvantaged females in transition from compulsory schooling illustrate that material and individual resources are distributed very unequally. The rhetoric of individual success is tempered by gender- and class-based obligations, and success for these…

Phenomenological and psychodynamic differences between girls who score at the high and low extremes of the Psychosocial Maturity Inventory are explored. Ability to tolerate anxiety and the developmental use of interpersonal relationships are discussed as central to identity formation among these girls. (Author/MV)

No significant differences in language skills, social maturity, or self-concept were found for 36 trainable mentally retarded (TMR) elementary students placed in a semi-integrated school environment and 36 TMR Ss in a nonintegrated setting. Concerns regarding assessment of TMR children were noted. (CL)

The study compared the cognitive, affective, and perceptual role taking skills of 38 learning disabled (LD) children (ages 5 to 8) with those of a control group of normal children. Ss were administered three role taking tasks which measured their skills in each of the domains. The results demonstrated a role taking deficit in the LD children.…

Adolescents (N=1,198) in Reykjavik, Iceland were followed from ages 15 to 17 to explore their levels of psychosocial maturity in relation to alcohol consumption. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to examine interpersonal understanding, skills, and personal meaning in relation to alcohol use. Adolescents' psychosocial maturity,…

In 2 studies (125 college students and 51 adults), 2 forms of growth goals (exploratory and intrinsic) were compared with 2 forms of personality development (social-cognitive maturity and social-emotional well-being). Participants whose narratives of major life goals emphasized conceptual exploration were especially likely to have high levels of…

The quality of parenting in dual career families has been the subject of much debate. To determine whether employed and non-employed mothers, varying in psychological identity status (parental and occupational), differ in the maturity of their perspectives on children and the parent role, 37 married women with children were interviewed. The…

This article reports an investigation in which the brith order, social class, and level of achievement arousal are the variables considered when fifth and sixth-grade girls make independent judgements in performing a set task. (JH)

The relationship between emotional maturity and the developing self in the gifted individual is examined. Emotional maturity is seen to involve the integration of intrapersonal and interpersonal aspects of the personality. The developing self is thought to be more than the sum of its components and becomes a global factor in the development of a…

Two studies investigated relationship between adolescents' subjective age and self-reported problem behavior, autonomy, and peer relationships. Findings indicated that older subjective age among 15-year olds correlated positively with problem behaviors, behavioral autonomy, and involvement with other-sex peers. When chronological age and pubertal…

Analyzed self-perceived maturation associated with service in the Israeli army according to gender, rank, service trajectory (unit or role), and the socialization environment of the individual (urban or kibbutz). Results for 633 subjects suggest that army service contributes to the maturation of Israeli youth, and maturation is moderately affected…