Identity-Processing Style, Psychosocial Resources, and Adolescents' Perceptions of Parent-Adolescent Relations

Abstract

This study aimed to generalize and extend research on identity styles among early adolescents in the Netherlands. The study investigated associations between perceived parent-adolescent relations and identity-processing styles among 13-year-old adolescents and the role identity styles played in mediating relationships between parent-adolescent relations and the identity commitments early adolescents held and the levels of self-regulation they exercised. Associations between perceived parent-adolescent relations and a normative style were positive and those with a diffuse-avoidant style were negative. Parental information solicitation was related to informationstyle scores. All three styles were related to identity commitments and selfregulation. Linkages with the normative style were positive and those with the diffuse-avoidant style negative. An informational identity style was associated positively with commitment but negatively with self-regulation. The relationship between adolescents' perceptions of open parental communication and their levels of identity commitment was partially mediated by a normative style. The role parent-adolescent relations may play in developing identity processes and self-regulation during early adolescence is considered.

Explaining Differences in Identity Styles: Possible Roles of Personality and Family Functioning

“…Diffuse-avoidance was linked to intrusive psychological control and limited expressiveness within the family (Adams et al, 2006;Soenens et al, 2004). Finally, extending the previously described research cross-culturally and to a younger age group, Berzonsky, Branje, and Meeus (2007) found that, in a sample of Dutch early adolescents, close parent-adolescent relationships as evidenced by high levels of trust and communication were positively associated with the normative identity style, modestly positively associated with the informational style, and negatively correlated with the diffuse-avoidant style. Berzonsky et al (2007) suggested that emotionally close and warm parent-adolescent relationships may enhance the likelihood that adolescents will identify with and internalize parental standards and adopt a normative identity style.…”

“…Less clear is how emotional closeness influences the adoption of an informational style, if it does at all. Most recently, Berzonsky et al (2007) suggested that the link between the parent-child relationship and the normative identity style is mediated by parental identification and research on the relationship between identity and identification is consistent with this hypothesis.…”

The Influence of Family Context on Identity Processing

“…Chinese youth apparently do not perceive their parents as 'permissive' when the parents pose fewer demands and controls on their socio-cognitive explorations, focusing rather on the parents' responsiveness to their needs. On the other hand, the demandingness embedded within the authoritative parenting style is perceived as benevolent control and supportive of socio-cognitive explorations (Chen, Dong, & Zhou, 1997;Lee, Pratto, & Li, 2007).The results from the revised structural model corroborated with findings in previous Western studies for identity commitment (Adams, Berzonsky, & Keating, 2006;Berzonsky et al, 2007). Macau youths adopting the informational style showed a positive relation to identity commitment.…”

The Social Ecology of Adolescents’ Cancer Experience: A Narrative Review and Future Directions

“…Caregivers of cancer patients are estimated to spend up to 40 h or more per week providing care (National Alliance for Caregiving 2009); this estimate may be even higher for caregivers of adolescent patients since these patients may be limited in their self-sufficiency (e.g., being able to drive to routine appointments, discussing treatment options with healthcare providers), legal authority (e.g., procedural decision-making), and responsibility (e.g., medication adherence, avoiding risky health behaviors). It Adolescent Res Rev (2016) 1:235-244 237 is not surprising, then, that the adolescent-caregiver relationship has such a profound impact on adolescents' psychological well-being, self-esteem, behavior, and selfregulation (Berzonsky et al 2007;Hair et al 2008;Heiman et al 2008;Marin et al 2008). Although adolescence marks a time when caregiver guidance may be most useful, adolescents typically report that caregiver relationship quality decreases significantly between the ages of 11 and 14 (McGue et al 2005).…”