The Identity Project intervention in Germany: Creating a climate for reflection, connection, and adolescent identity...

Area of Science:

• Developmental Psychology
• Educational Psychology
• Sociology of Education

Background:

• Adolescent identity development is influenced by cultural context and school environment.
• Understanding perceptions of classroom cultural climate is crucial for educational interventions.
• The Identity Project aims to foster positive identity exploration among diverse student populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of an adapted 8-week school-based intervention, the Identity Project, on German adolescents' heritage and global identities.
• To assess changes in adolescents' perceptions of the classroom cultural climate following the intervention.
• To explore the relationship between identity, climate, and adolescent outcomes within the intervention and control groups.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal, wait-list control design utilizing data from eight classrooms across two school years (2018-2020).
• Sample comprised 195 seventh-grade students (mean age 12.35 years), with 39% female and 83% of migration background.
• Intervention involved an adapted 8-week school-based program focused on identity and cultural climate.

Main Results:

• The intervention group demonstrated moderate support for increased heritage identity exploration.
• Participants in the intervention group reported greater perceptions of unequal treatment and a critical consciousness climate.
• Significant differences were observed in how identity and climate related to adolescent outcomes across conditions.

Conclusions:

• The Identity Project is adaptable and applicable to diverse cultural contexts, including Germany.
• The intervention provides a valuable platform for adolescents to discuss diversity, cultural heritage, and social inequities.
• Findings suggest the program's potential to positively influence adolescent identity and perceptions of their school environment.