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Ego identity formation in middle adolescence

Journal of Youth and Adolescence volume 5, pages 371–385 (1976)Cite this article

Abstract

Assumed determinants of ego identity were investigated in this study using sophomore, junior, and senior high school males and females. Subjects were administered the Marcia Ego Identity Status Scale and measures of sex-role identification, personality development, psychological functioning, self-concept, and parental socialization practices. Data analyses, using a median split on identity score, showed that high-identity adolescents obtained more positive scores on sex-role identification, personality development, psychological adjustment, and self-concept than low-identity adolescents. Socialization practices also differed for the two groups. The sex differences which emerged were congruent with the identity literature. Overall, the data supported Erikson's theory of ego identity development.

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Author information

Affiliations

  1. Associate Professor of Developmental Psychology, Associate Professor of Medical Psychology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska

    Joseph C. LaVoie

  2. Associate Professor of Developmental Psychology, Associate Professor of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska

    Joseph C. LaVoie

Authors
  1. Joseph C. LaVoie
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Additional information

This study was funded by Grant No. 791-01-010-502 from the Senate Research Committee, University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Received his Ph.D. in developmental psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Major interests are in the area of social and personality development in children and adolescents.

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LaVoie, J.C. Ego identity formation in middle adolescence. J Youth Adolescence 5, 371–385 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01577250

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01577250

Keywords

  • Socialization Practice
  • Identity Formation
  • Psychological Functioning
  • Psychological Adjustment
  • Personality Development