Identity and intimacy during adolescence: Connections among identity styles,romantic attachment and identity commitment

Integration of adult attachment and psychosocial development theories suggests that adolescence is a time when capacities for romantic intimacy and identity formation are co-evolving. The current study addressed direct, indirect and moderated associations among identity and romantic attachment constructs with a diverse sample of 2178 middle adolescents. Identity styles were found to have unique and direct associations with identity commitment. Attachment anxiety showed only indirect associations and attachment avoidance had both direct and indirect associations with identity commitment. Tests of moderation revealed that gender, race and relationship status had no influence on the direct associations of identity styles or romantic attachment with identity commitment. Few differences in association strength among identity styles and romantic attachment emerged for gender or race. However, the differences found for relationship status suggested that relationship experiences adolescents bring to their exploration of identity and intimacy matter for how these two areas of development articulate.     

Adolescent sex-role orientation and ego identity

This study investigated the relationship between sex-role development and ego development in a sample of 9th-12th grade Anglo-American and Mexican-American students attending high school in a southwestern state. All students were administered: (a) the Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status (Grotevant and Adams, 1984) as a measure of ego development (i.e., diffusion, foreclosure, moratorium, and identity achievement), and (b) the Personal Attributes Questionnaire Short Form (Spence, Helmreich and Stapp, 1975) as a measure of masculinity and femininity. Results indicated no ethnic differences in the relationship between ego identity and masculinity/femininity. Adolescents who were identity achieved on ideological identity formation had significantly higher levels of masculinity than did moratorium, foreclosed, and diffused individuals. For interpersonal identity, identity achieved adolescents had higher levels of both masculinity and femininity than did individuals who were foreclosed, diffused, or in moratorium. Discussion centered on these results in light of the additional finding that there was little shared variance (eta2) between masculinity, femininity and ego identity.     

Ethnic differences in adolescents'' identity status and associated behavior problems

The relationships between ethnicity and identity status and between identity status and behavior problems, social competence, and self-esteem were examined among 330 White, Black, Puerto Rican and Filipino students in an integrated high school. Identity status (i.e., achieved, moratorium, foreclosed, or diffuse) was defined on the basis of a 24-item self-report inventory on which students rated their explorations of options and/or commitments to choices in their occupational, political, and religious domains. Ethnic status was also assessed in an 8-item questionnaire which assessed exploration and commitment to one's ethnic role. White students in the upper grades reported significantly higher moratorium scale scores and perceived themselves as more likely to have explored and be committed to their ethnic role than minority youth. There were no significant ethnic differences in the relationships of identity status to behavior problems, social competence or self-esteem. Adolescent boys were significantly more likely to be in moratorium regarding their ethnic role than girls. Grade and sex differences in identity status were consistent with those predicted by developmental researchers. Across all ethnic groups, ratings of moratorium status were associated with significantly more behavior problems, less social competence, and lower self-esteem.     

Identity exploration in the dating domain: The role of attachment dimensions and parenting practices

We examined relations among perceived parenting practices (support and psychological control), attachment dimensions for romantic relationships (anxiety and avoidance) and exploration of the dating identity among actively dating adolescents in two high school aged samples. In the all female sample of Study 1 (n = 653) and the gender balanced sample of Study 2 (n = 1003), parenting practices contributed to adolescent exploration of the dating identity. Parent psychological control, but not parental support, also contributed to elevated feeling of avoidance and anxiety in romantic relationships. Avoidance, in turn, was related to less exploration of the dating identity while anxiety seemed to increase it. Gender moderated the model, with parenting practices predicting exploration only for girls and with the links for avoidance and anxiety with exploration stronger for boys than girls. Indirect effects for parenting practices through attachment dimensions on exploration of the dating identity were also noted.     

留守初中生父母同伴依恋与心理弹性的相关性

目的了解留守初中生的父母同伴依恋、心理弹性及其关系,为对其开展有针对性的心理干预、改善其心理健康状况提供参考。方法采用整群随机抽样法抽取绵阳市某县两所中学的初中生共842名作为研究对象,其中留守初中生292名(34.68%),非留守550名(65.32%)。采用自编一般情况问卷、父母和同伴依恋问卷(IPPA)、心理弹性量表(RS)进行评定,并分析IPPA和RS评分的相关性。结果①留守组的父亲依恋分量表中疏离维度评分高于非留守组(P<0.01);留守组男生的父亲依恋分量表中疏离维度和同伴依恋分量表沟通维度评分均高于非留守组男生(P<0.05或0.01),留守组女生的父亲依恋分量表疏离维度评分高于非留守组女生(P<0.05),其父亲依恋分量表信任维度、同伴依恋分量表中信任和沟通维度评分及总评分均低于非留守组女生(P均<0.05)。②留守组与非留守组初中生RS评分比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。③留守组初中生中,除父母依恋分量表的疏离维度外,其余IPPA各分量表评分及各维度评分与RS评分均呈正相关(r=0.261~0.494,P均<0.01);非留守初中生中,IPPA各分量表评分及各维度评分与RS评分均呈正相关(r=0.123~0.583,P均<0.01)。结论留守初中生存在普遍的依恋关系与安全感问题,以留守女生更为突出。     

Self-image and parental attachment among late adolescents in Belize

This study investigated the relationship of ethnicity, parental education, gender, and parental attachment to multiple dimensions of self-image among 285 (161 female and 124 male) late adolescent Belizean students. Student ratings of self-image were unrelated to paternal education and student ethnicity. For maternal education, ethnic identity was higher for students whose mothers were high school graduates than for those whose mothers had completed college or a graduate degree. Female students reported more positive self-images than males in vocational attitudes. Favourable self-images were associated with secure ratings of parental attachment.     

Young people's romantic attachment styles and their associations with well-being

This research, based on attachment theory, examined the relationships between romantic attachment styles, romantic attitudes and well-being among 461 tertiary students, aged 17-21 years. Those with secure romantic attachment styles were less stressed, less lonely and more satisfied academically than those with clingy or casual/fickle styles, independent of current relationship status.     

Attachment and psychological well-being among adolescents with and without disabilities in Kenya: The mediating role of identity formation

The current study is aimed at evaluating the relationship between attachment and identity development, and their influence on psychological well-being in adolescents with and without disabilities in Kenya. The sample was composed of 296 adolescents (151 with disabilities and 145 without any disability). The mean age in our sample was 16.84 years (SD = 1.75). Adolescents with disabilities had significantly lower scores in identity formation, paternal attachment, and life satisfaction. A path model indicated that identity formation partially mediated the relationship between secure attachment and psychological well-being. Our findings indicate that both parent and peer attachment play an important role in the identity formation and psychological well-being of adolescents in Kenya, irrespective of a disabling condition. A multigroup analysis indicated that while the structure of the relationship between variables held for groups, the pattern and strength of the relationships differed. Implications for practice, especially the guidance and counseling services in schools, are discussed.     

自我和谐与应付方式的关系探讨

目的以医科大学生为对象探讨自我和谐与应付方式之间的关系。方法应用自我和谐量表和应付方式问卷对106名医科大学生进行评价。根据自我和谐量表评分分为低自我和谐程度组和高自我和谐程度组,对两组应付方式进行比较,并对自我和谐各因子与各应付方式进行相关分析。结果低自我和谐程度大学生组的应付方式中,解决问题、求助方式显著低于高自我和谐程度大学生组(P<0.05),而自责、幻想、退避、合理化方式则显著高于高自我和谐组(P<0.05或P<0.01);自我与经验的不和谐与各应付方式均有显著相关(P<0.05或<0.01),自我的灵活性与解决问题方式成正相关(P<0.01),自我的刻板性与合理化方式成正相关(P<0.05)。结论大学生自我和谐程度与所采用的应付方式之间密切相关。     

Ego-identity differences among Anglo-American and Mexican-American adolescents

This study investigated potential differences in Ideological/Occupational and Interpersonal ego-identity among Anglo-American and Mexican-American adolescents. Subjects were 841 9th-12th graders attending high school in a southwestern state. All students were administered the Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status to determine their level of identity diffusion, foreclosure, moratorium, and identity achievement. Multivariate analyses of co-variance with discriminant analysis were conducted separately for the two types of identity. Mothers' and fathers' education were included as covariates. Results indicated that Mexican-American youth are more foreclosed than Anglo-American youth in Ideological/Occupational identity, and may therefore be more inclined to adopt their parents' commitments to religious and political beliefs, occupational preferences, and philosophical lifestyles. Results also indicated that Mexican-American youth differ from Anglo-American youth in Interpersonal Identity as a function of grade. Discussion focused on interpretation of these results from both cultural and minority status perspectives.     

Adolescent psychological well-being by identity style

High school-age adolescents (N=262) in two samples completed a measure of identity style, along with measures of self-esteem, hopelessness, delinquent attitudes, educational expectations, and optimism/efficacy. Analysis of variance was used to evaluate the relationship between identity style and the other psychosocial variables. Participants classified as having a diffuse/avoidant orientation had lower self-esteem and higher delinquent attitude scores than those with either an information or normative orientation. At the same time, the diffuse-avoidant style was associated with higher hopelessness and lower optimism/efficacy scores than the normative and information styles. The normative and information styles did not differ significantly in terms of the dependent variables. Results also indicated that males were more likely to be diffused and females more likely to be information-oriented.     

新冠肺炎疫情期间安徽省中学生应对方式及其与焦虑情绪的关系

目的 探讨新冠肺炎(COVID-19)疫情期间安徽省13～18岁中学生的应对方式及其与焦虑情绪的关系.方法 于2020年2月13日-19日,采用方便抽样方法,以网络问卷形式,使用中学生应对方式量表(CSSMSS)及儿童焦虑性情绪障碍筛查量表(SCARED)对安徽省中学生进行横断面调查.结果 CSSMSS评定结果 显示,...     

Identity development and alcohol consumption: current and retrospective self-reports by college students

First-year college students were asked to complete alcohol consumption and identity status questionnaires-currently and retrospectively. Trend analyses of the retrospective data and current data revealed somewhat similar inverse linear trends for identity status on absolute annual alcohol consumption. In both cases, identity sophistication was associated with lower levels of consumption. Of the students who reported an increase in consumption from the junior year of high school to the first year of college, those displaying progressive identity development reported a relatively lower increase in consumption than those displaying stable identity status. This difference approached the conventional level of significance. The implications of these findings are explored.     

Prepared to care: adult attachment and filial obligation

Objectives: Past work found that close adult attachment dimension scores predict caregiver preparedness. Theory and past research suggests filial obligation (FO) may mediate the relationship between attachment and caregiver preparedness. The goal of this study was to test that hypothesis.

Method: The sample, collected using Mechanical Turk, included 165 women between the ages of 45 and 65 years who were not providing care to an aging parent. Participants were reimbursed $0.75 for completing an online survey assessing response validity, dimensions of adult attachment, depressive symptomatology, FO, and caregiver preparedness, among other variables. The mean participant age was 52.2 years (SD = 5.5).

Results: The sample was predominantly White/Caucasian (82.6%), and Black/African American (7.3%). With respect to education, 14.5% completed high school or general education development (GED), 32.7% completed some college, 36.4% completed a Bachelor's degree, and 15.7% completed graduate degrees. The three attachment dimensions (close, dependent, and anxious) and FO were all significantly inner-correlated. Stepwise multiple regression analyses found that FO fully mediates the relationship between close attachment and caregiver preparedness, even after controlling for age, education, income, depression, and birth order.

Conclusion: The primary finding is that FO mediates the relationship between close attachment style and caregiver preparedness among prospective caregivers. This suggests that individual differences in attachment style among prospective caregivers indirectly predict preparedness for future caregiving through FO, suggesting a mechanism relating attachment style and preparation for future care.     

精神分裂症患者康复期心理状态与耻感、应对方式及社会支持的关系

目的 探讨精神分裂症患者康复期心理状态与耻感、应对方式及社会支持之间的关系,为康复干预方案的制定提供参考.方法 选择2015年1～12月在精神病医院住院治疗的178例恢复期精神分裂症患者作为研究对象,根据卡尔加里精神分裂症抑郁量表(CDSS)评分将其分为抑郁组(54例)和非抑郁组(124例),采用精神病患者病耻感评估量表、应对方式量表和社会支持量表分别对两组患者进行调查,分析其各量表得分差异,以及抑郁评分和各量表得分之间的相关性.结果 抑郁组和非抑郁组患者在年龄、性别比例、病程等一般资料方面比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);抑郁组患者病耻感中社交因子、能力因子评分以总评分均明显高于非抑郁组;积极应对评分明显低于非抑郁组,而消极应对评分明显高于非抑郁组;抑郁组患者社会支持各方面评分以及总分均明显低于非抑郁组患者.相关性分析表明抑郁心理与患者病耻感评分呈正相关(P＜0.05);消极应对与抑郁呈正相关(P＜0.05),积极应对与抑郁呈负相关(P＜0.05);社会支持各方面评分均与抑郁呈负相关(P＜0.05).结论 精神分裂症患者康复期抑郁心理状态与耻感呈正相关,与消极应对方式呈正相关,与社会支持呈负相关.     

Executive functions and seizure-related factors in children with epilepsy in Western Norway

Executive functions (EFs), seizure-related factors, and school performance were studied in a population-based sample of children with epilepsy (n=117; 71 males, 46 females; mean age 10y 5mo [SD 2y]; range 6y-12y 11mo) and a comparison group (n=124; 71 males, 53 females; mean age 10y 1mo [SD 2y 1mo]; range 6y-12y 11mo). EF, cognitive function, depression, socioeconomic status, and school performance were examined. Patients with epilepsy performed significantly lower than the comparison group on all EF measures except incidental memory. Intellectual dysfunction and depression accounted for 43% of EF problems. All epilepsy syndrome groups (except Rolandic epilepsy) were associated with decreased EF in addition to early epilepsy onset, high seizure frequency, and polytherapy. Patients had more school performance problems than comparison children which were attributed partly to EF difficulties. All aspects of EF were affected in children with epilepsy and all epilepsy syndrome groups, except Rolandic epilepsy, influenced EF negatively. EF problems contributed to patients' school difficulties beyond intellectual dysfunction.     

Sex hormones and biogenic amine turnover of sex offenders in relation to their temperament and character dimensions

Relationships between Cloninger's temperament and character dimensions and plasma sex hormone levels and biogenic amine turnover were studied in male prison inmates convicted of rape (n=61) or child molestation (n=24) and normal male controls (n=25). The participants completed the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), which includes the temperament dimensions Novelty Seeking, Harm Avoidance, Reward Dependence and Persistence as well as the character dimensions Self-Directedness, Cooperativeness and Self-Transcendence. Plasma levels of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, sex hormone binding globulin, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone were estimated in plasma samples and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), homovanillic acid (HVA), and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) in urine samples. Both sex offender groups had higher Novelty, Seeking and lower Reward Dependence, Self-Directedness and Cooperativeness scores compared with the controls. Plasma levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone were significantly higher in rapists than in controls. Novelty Seeking scores were positively correlated with LH levels in rapists, and with testosterone levels in child molesters. Harm Avoidance scores were negatively correlated with 5-HIAA levels in rapists and with HVA levels in child molesters. In rapists, the calculated free androgen index showed a negative correlation with 5-HIAA. For the sex offender sample as a whole, the subgroup with high testosterone levels had higher Harm Avoidance scores, the subgroup with low HVA levels had lower Cooperativeness scores, and the subgroups with high 5HIAA or MHPG levels had lower Persistence scores. The results indicate that Novelty Seeking behavior in the group of rapists is associated with a hyperactive hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. In addition, low serotonin turnover and low dopamine turnover seem to be associated with a passive-avoidant behavioral style in rapists and child molesters, respectively.     

Relationship history and relationship attitudes in gay males and lesbians: attachment style and gender differences

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to assess the applicability of attachment theory to the relationships of gay males and lesbians, with particular emphasis on parental relationships, relationship satisfaction, sexual attitudes and 'coming out' as being homosexual. METHODS: Gay males (n = 77) and lesbians (n = 100) completed questionnaires assessing attachment style, working models of attachment, early relationships with parents and relationship history, status and functioning. A comparison sample of heterosexual participants completed measures of attachment style and relationship history. RESULTS: Relative frequencies of attachment styles were similar for homosexual and heterosexual samples. Contrary to previous research using largely heterosexual respondents, no link between early parenting and attachment style was found. However, homosexual males reported more positive early relationships with mothers than did females. Associations of attachment style with working models, relationship variables and sexual attitudes largely supported those based on heterosexual samples. Gender and attachment style differences were found in reported effects of 'coming out' on relationships with parents. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the results suggest that insecure attachment may not be over-represented in gay and lesbian samples, but that insecurity is associated with less relationship satisfaction and with problems related to the disclosure of sexual orientation. The implications of these findings for research and clinical practice are addressed.     

Risk and protective factors for medically serious suicide attempts: a comparison of hospital-based with population-based samples of young adults

OBJECTIVE: To investigate risk and protective factors for medically serious suicide attempts among young Australian adults. METHOD: The study used a case-control design. A clinical sample of 18-24 year olds was recruited via the emergency department of a large public hospital following a suicide attempt (n=95) and was compared to a sample of 18-24 year olds who participated in a population-based survey (n=380). RESULTS: Risk factors for medically serious suicide attempts included early school leaving, parental divorce (males only), distress due to problems with parents (females only), distress due to problems with friends, distress due to the break-up of a romantic relationship, tobacco use, high alcohol use, current depressive symptomatology and a previous diagnosis of depression. Protective factors included social connectedness, problem-solving confidence and locus of control. There was a trend for social connectedness to be more protective among those with high rather than low levels of depressive symptomatology, and among smokers rather than non-smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Results are discussed in terms of designing evidence-based suicide prevention activities for young adults.     

Ethnic identity development and ethnic discrimination: Examining longitudinal associations with adjustment for Mexican-origin adolescent mothers

Few studies examine normative developmental processes among teenage mothers. Framed from a risk and resilience perspective, this prospective study examined the potential for ethnic identity status (e.g., diffuse, achieved), a normative developmental task during adolescence, to buffer the detrimental effects of discrimination on later adjustment and self-esteem in a sample of 204 Mexican-origin adolescent mothers. Ethnic discrimination was associated with increases in depressive symptoms and decreases in self-esteem over time, regardless of ethnic identity status. However, ethnic discrimination was only associated with increases in engagement in risky behavior among diffuse adolescents, suggesting that achieved or foreclosed identities buffered the risk of ethnic discrimination on later risky behavior. Findings suggest that ethnic identity resolution (i.e., the component shared by those in foreclosed and achieved statuses) may be a key cultural factor to include in prevention and intervention efforts aimed to reduce the negative effects of ethnic discrimination on later externalizing problems.