Psychosocial correlates of contraceptive practices during late adolescence

This article reviews the literature on psychosocial correlates of contraceptive practices among sexually active late adolescents (primarily college undergraduates). It seeks to help identify subgroups of adolescents who either do not use or misuse contraceptive means, putting them at risk for unwanted pregnancy, AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases. The intent is to promote further research on those variables with the most potential for predicting contraceptive behaviors, which will assist in the development and implementation of effective prevention and intervention programs.     

The inter-relations of mother and father attachment, self-esteem and aggression during late adolescence

This study examined three models depicting the relations between mother and father attachment, self-esteem and aggression. A total of 385 participants (173 males and 212 females), aged from 18 to 20 years, completed self-rating questionnaires covering mother and father attachment, self-esteem and aggression. Results showed that self-esteem had additive and mediation effects on both the father attachment-aggression and mother attachment-aggression relationships, and also moderated the mother attachment-aggression relation. These findings are discussed in terms of different models for the inter-relations of mother and father attachment, self-esteem and aggression in late adolescence.     

Gender differences in the development of relationships during late adolescence

Until recently, inadequate measures of affiliation need and relationship closeness hindered investigations into the social development of adolescents. For example, assumptions about gender differences (Douvan & Adelson, 1966; Gilligan, 1982) and age-related changes (Dunphy, 1972; Erikson, 1968; Newman & Newman, 1976) in affiliation need and relationship closeness have remained virtually untested. To better understand adolescent social behavior and test these assumptions, recently developed measures of affiliation need and interpersonal closeness were used to examine seventy-four 18- to 20-year-olds. In support of Erikson's theory, need for social comparison declined with age for both sexes. However, in support of Gilligan's theory, not only were females more attached to their partners, but these gender differences were most pronounced for the 18-year-olds. Finally, Dunphy's (1972) assumption that adolescents' need for stimulation peaks around age 18 or 19 and then declines, and Newman and Newman's (1976) position that need for emotional support declines in later adolescence, held true--but only for females.     

The development of intimate relationships in late adolescence

Adolescence is a time of burgeoning social relationships. Further, adolescents begin to develop the capacity to be intimate. Yet, little attention has been paid to the development of intimacy in adolescence. In this paper, relationship maturity, a developmental conception of intimacy, is presented as a unifying conceptual framework for understanding these intimate involvements as part of a major developmental process. Relevant empirical literature is reviewed. Issues addressed include: specific contexts of intimacy in adolescence, the role of gender in intimacy development, the interplay of identity and intimacy development, and the effects of social issues on this process.     

Temperament and self-esteem in late adolescence.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between temperament and self-esteem (or social competence) among late adolescents. The Dimensions of Temperament Scale and the Short Form of the Texas Social Behavior Inventory were administered to 186 students. It was found that Adaptability, Attention/Distractibility, and Reactivity all showed significant correlations with self-esteem. An interactive framework suggested that temperament may mediate how each individual perceives and experiences social demands and constraints, thereby influencing the level of positive regard and success during development.     

Greater attention problems during childhood predict poorer executive functioning in late adolescence

Attention problems (behavior problems including inattention, disorganization, impulsivity, and hyperactivity) are widely thought to reflect deficits in executive functions (EFs). However, it is unclear whether attention problems differentially relate to distinct EFs and how developmental stability and change predict levels of EFs in late adolescence. We investigated, in an unselected sample, how teacher-rated attention problems from ages 7 to 14 years related to three correlated but separable EFs, measured as latent variables at age 17. Attention problems at all ages significantly predicted later levels of response inhibition and working memory updating, and to some extent set shifting; the relation to inhibiting was stronger than the relations to the other EFs or IQ. Growth models indicated that attention problems were quite stable in this age range, and it was the initial levels of problems, rather than their changes across time, that predicted later EFs. These results support the hypothesis that attention problems primarily reflect difficulties with response inhibition.     

Sex-role development in late adolescence and adulthood

The present study investigated associations between age and sex roles in a cross-sectional analysis of people varying in age from late adolescence to middle adulthood. People in the androgynous sex role were older than sex-typed men and women. Cross-sex characteristics tended to be greater among older people, while same-sex characteristics were uncorrelated with age. Sex-role development appears to continue into adulthood, a view more in keeping with a transcendent model than a traditional model of sex-role development.This study was assisted by computer funds from the College of Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University. The authors thank an anonymous reviewer for helpful comments on an earlier version of this article.     

Female identity development and self-reflection in late adolescence

The primary aim of this study was to assess whether the capacity for self-reflection in late adolescent females is related to their level of identity development. It was hypothesized that females characterized by advanced identity status (either identity achievement or moratorium) would exhibit a greater capacity for self-reflection than those characterized by less advanced identity status (foreclosure or diffusion). Of 85 subjects who met the criteria for this study (female college students in the New York City area), 32 fit purely into one of four identity statuses; among this latter group, a t test revealed a significantly higher degree of self-reflection for the advanced identity status subjects. Implications for the psychology of identity are discussed.     

Longitudinal study of defense mechanisms: late childhood to late adolescence

Based on longitudinal data from the Institute of Human Development Intergenerational Study, the use and change in defense mechanisms of more than 150 individuals, as assessed from TAT stories, was studied across ages 11, 12, and 18. The findings of this study, based on an earlier generation, were generally consistent with cross-sectional findings from current samples, showing that the defenses of projection and identification were used more frequently than denial at all three ages and that the use of projection and identification increased from early to late adolescence. However, unlike current findings, the 18-year-olds did not show greater use of identification than of projection, perhaps due to IQ differences between this community sample and the samples of more recent studies.     

Identity, sexuality and the self in late adolescence

This paper explores the concepts of identity, sexuality and the self within the context of adolescent development. The development of the identity concept in adolescence is traced in Jung's theoretical, clinical and autobiographical writings. Jung's adolescent development is viewed as the matrix out of which the identity concept emerged within analytical psychology. This was later elaborated theoretically by Jung in Symbols of Transformation (1912/1956). One of Jung's clinical cases of a late adolescent is discussed in which themes related to the development of identity and sexuality emerged. An adolescent case from the author's analytic practice is presented where similar themes of identity, homosexuality and self emerged. The developmental and symbolic themes which emerged in the analysis are viewed within the context of the transference/countertransference relationship.     

The development of ethnic identity during adolescence

The development of ethnic identity is a critical facet of adolescence, particularly for adolescents of color. In order to examine the developmental trajectory of ethnic identity, African American, Latino American, and European American early and middle adolescents (N = 420) were assessed over 3 years. Two components of ethnic identity were assessed--group-esteem was found to rise for both early and middle adolescents; exploration rose for middle adolescents. African Americans and Latino Americans were lower in group-esteem but have greater increases than European Americans, particularly across a school transition. The course of ethnic identity development during early and middle adolescence, the role of school context, and the variability in developmental trajectories among racial and ethnic groups are discussed.     

Male and female delinquency trajectories from pre through middle adolescence and their continuation in late adolescence

This study of male and female adolescent delinquency trajectories focuses on the prediction of late adolescence delinquency, based on earlier delinquency and social support. In this 3-wave longitudinal survey, 270 Dutch adolescents (113 males and 157 females) ages 12 to 14, were followed for a period of 6 years. For males, the level of delinquent activity in late adolescence strongly depends on earlier delinquent activities (R2 = .33, p < .0005). In contrast, the level of female delinquency in late adolescence is far less predictable (R2 = .18, p < .001), and could not be predicted from delinquent activities during pre and early adolescence, while support from the mother during late adolescence was associated with reduced delinquency for females. Different models may be needed to explain the development of delinquency for males versus females.     

The changing nature of the parent-adolescent relationship from early to late adolescence

This research analyzes changes in the parent-child relationship that help clarify the balance between individuation and cohesiveness over the period from age 11 to 17. Data were collected from mothers, fathers, and oldest children in 110 families whose oldest child was 11, 14 or 17. Three methods were involved: a survey of attitudes about family decision making, independence, love, understanding, and satisfaction with parenting; Loevinger's measure of ego level for parents and children; and an open-ended assessment of qualities family members admired in one another. The results provide insight into expectations and processes involved in revising the quality of parent-child relationships during early adolescence.     

The effect of acculturation on depressive moods: immigrant boys and girls during their transition from late adolescence to early adulthood

Using data (N = 773) from a longitudinal study of former Soviet Union immigrants to Israel, this study aimed to identify the psychosocial correlates of depressive mood among immigrant adolescents and differences by age and gender. OLS regression results suggest acculturative and social factors as useful variables in predicting depression. Adolescents with a high probability of assimilating (simultaneous strengthening of Israeli identity and weakening of Russian identity) proved more likely to report low levels of depression. Consistent with the literature, girls were more depressed than boys and age was positively related to depressive moods. As expected, different factors explain the psychological well-being of adolescents of different age groups and sex: in boys, depression was found mainly related to acculturation difficulties; in girls it was related more to their social support. As for age, more independent variables were statistically significant in accounting for depression in the older than in the younger group, which suggests that depression is age-related. The study results should be understood in connection with socialization processes to sex roles and the impact immigration has on this process.     

Family timing in late adolescence and early adulthood: The case of southern males

Social science research and theory about familial orientations and reproductive ideals have largely neglected males' attitudes. Drawing on demographic and status attainment perspectives, this study applies a model of processes underlying marriage and family timing to longitudinal data on 288 young adult males from the Southern Youth Study. Several posited influences of family of origin factors, significant others, and adolescent status and familial aspirations on marital timing and early family growth are assessed.Development of this report was sponsored in part by the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station and contributes both to TAES Project H-2811 and to USDA (CSRS) Regional Research Project S-81, and in part by the Maxwell Policy Center on Aging and the All-University Gerontology Center, Syracuse University through Title IV-C Grant #90-A-1054101 from the Administration on Aging, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Information for analysis was obtained by pooling data collected under grants provided by the Agricultural Experiment Stations of Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas. Appreciation is expressed to John Womack, Paul D. Mader, and G. David Curry for their advice at various stages of this research.     

Development of emotional facial recognition in late childhood and adolescence

The ability to interpret emotions in facial expressions is crucial for social functioning across the lifespan. Facial expression recognition develops rapidly during infancy and improves with age during the preschool years. However, the developmental trajectory from late childhood to adulthood is less clear. We tested older children, adolescents and adults on a two-alternative forced-choice discrimination task using morphed faces that varied in emotional content. Actors appeared to pose expressions that changed incrementally along three progressions: neutral-to-fear, neutral-to-anger, and fear-to-anger. Across all three morph types, adults displayed more sensitivity to subtle changes in emotional expression than children and adolescents. Fear morphs and fear-to-anger blends showed a linear developmental trajectory, whereas anger morphs showed a quadratic trend, increasing sharply from adolescents to adults. The results provide evidence for late developmental changes in emotional expression recognition with some specificity in the time course for distinct emotions.     

Sibling relationships during adolescence

The principal objective of this study was to analyse sibling relationships during adolescence, within the context of parent and peer relationships, and their link with socioemotional adjustment. To this end, 513 adolescents aged between 13 and 19 completed instruments relating to parent?–?child relationships, sibling adjustment, relationships with peers, self-esteem and life satisfaction. We found important gender-based differences in the meaning and importance that sibling adjustment seems to have for adolescents. For girls, a good relationship with their siblings was linked to good relationships with their parents and peers, as well as increased self-esteem and life satisfaction. For boys, sibling relationships had no relation with other family or personal variables.