Examines three central issues in current thinking about process of identity formation. Discussion of theoretical issues focuses on identity models and criticism of identity status model. Structural issues discussion concerns whether identity is structure and, if so, what are structural components. Transition section identifies mechanisms involved…

Suggests that if adolescence is viewed more broadly as a period of growing into maturity, a brief examination of life-span development reveals that adolescences also occur in other life periods. These periods present challenges of personal adjustment and are necessary transitions toward self-actualization. (JAC)

Presents relationship maturity, developmental conception of intimacy, as unifying conceptual framework for understanding intimate involvement of adolescence as part of major developmental process. Examines specific context of intimacy in adolescence, role of gender in intimacy development, interplay of identity and intimacy development, and…

Describes general developmental struggles of gay and lesbian adolescents as delineated in recent research. Focuses on three developmental areas: the consolidation of sexual identity and the effects of both parental and peer relationships on gay adolescents' development. Notes weaknesses in current research and theory, and offers suggestions which…

Gives account of Marcia's identity formation model in language of existentialist philosophy. Examines parallels between ego-identity and existentialist approaches. Describes identity in terms of existentialist concepts of Heidegger and Sartre. Argues that existentialist account of identity formation has benefits of clarification of difficult…

Discusses implications for career counseling of men and women in nontraditional occupations. Reviews two studies on occupational innovators which suggested that nontraditional employees described themselves as less sex typed than others. Discusses implications for career counseling with adolescents. (JAC)

Based on semistructured interviews with five adolescent females, all recent immigrants from Latin America, discusses active role immigrant adolescents can take in balancing the influences of old and new cultures in formation of healthy bicultural identity, and special problems females face in adapting to new sex role culture. (Author/NB)

Explains how previewing may be applied to help adolescents adjust to developmental vicissitudes. Notes that previewing is innovative strategy derived from early life caregiver-infant interaction that encourages adolescent to represent and predict interpersonal outcomes of her behaviors. Discusses application of previewing to case involving…

Places concept of developmental tasks within cultural context, discussing role of "cultural-developmental" tasks in development and modification of adolescent's social-cognitive functioning and the respective roles of both individual and contextual-environmental factors in production of competencies. Outlines theory including individual's activity…

Highlights adolescence as age of crisis and concern for those with developmental retardation. Considers complexities of this stage of life from the perspectives of the individual's development and commitment required by family, school, professional services, and society. Illustrates these issues with case vignette, examining them critically using…

Offers therapists, parents, and educators a model for understanding adolescent sexuality, focusing on how nonsexual needs drive sexual behavior and produce artificially high sex drive. Proposes that overwhelming intensity of adolescent sex drive is due to factors other than libido or biological phenomena. Advocates teaching teenagers what their…

Explores adolescent Satanism as a phenomenon of adolescent developmental issues, most frequently occurring in the context of chemical abuse. Explains what a cult is, reviews history of Church of Satan, identifies characteristics of adolescent Satanism, and provides a case study of 16-year-old male with chemical dependency who becomes involved in…

Presents school counselors with an overview of ego psychology theory that can be used in working with adolescents. Ego psychology can account for the intensity of peer relationships, ambivalence with parents, rejection of authority, and seeking out of charismatic leaders. (JAC)

Argues that Erikson's concept of identity was originally proposed as something constructed to a significant degree by the individual, i.e., an Instrumental Identity. With the decline in instrumentality in a consumer/service-oriented society, Erikson's original concept fits less well. A new conceptualization of identity, that of Existential…

Discusses relationship between family structure and achievement of adolescent developmental task of separation-individuation. Views adolescent separation-individuation as continuum. Suggests that successful accomplishment of separation-individuation is affected by such factors as conflict, parental relationship, and accomplishment of previous…