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Rapprochement in late adolescent separation-individuation: a structural equations approach.
1Department of Educational Psychology, University of Texas, Austin 78712.
Journal of Adolescence
|December 1, 1990
Summary
Secure parental attachments support adolescent individuation. This study found attachment and differentiation are positively related, with parental control potentially hindering individuation and impacting identity development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Adolescent Psychology
- Attachment Theory
Background:
- Adolescent individuation is crucial for development.
- Secure parental attachment is theorized to support individuation.
- Previous research operationalized individuation using connectedness and separateness, but their relationship requires further exploration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between attachment and differentiation in adolescents.
- To propose a comprehensive model of adolescent ego development.
- To examine the influence of parental control on individuation and identity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized multiple operationalization procedures to assess attachment and differentiation.
- Employed statistical analyses to explore the relationships between key variables.
- Developed and tested a model incorporating parental control, individuation, and ego identity.
Main Results:
- Attachment and differentiation variables were found to be positively related.
- Parental control was negatively associated with successful individuation.
- Adolescent adjustment on individuation indices predicted advanced ego identity development.
Conclusions:
- Findings support the positive association between secure attachment and adolescent individuation.
- A refined model of adolescent ego development highlights the interplay of parental control, individuation, and identity.
- Interventions focusing on promoting individuation may foster advanced identity formation in adolescents.