Skip to main content

Identity status in high school students: Critique and a revised paradigm

Journal of Youth and Adolescence volume 9, pages 383–389 (1980)Cite this article

Abstract

The validity of applying the Marcia identity status paradigm to study of high school students is examined. Uncritical categorization of young adolescents into the identity statuses originally validated upon university students raises various issues. A revised paradigm for study of identity style among high school students is presented. It is suggested that the issues raised—the validity of measures for varying age groups and the role of environmental demands—are related to the eventual formulation of a life-span conceptualization of identity style.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

43,34 €

Price includes VAT (Finland)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  • Bourne, E. (1978a). The state of research on ego identity: A review and appraisal. Part I.J. Youth Adoles. 7: 223–252.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourne, E. (1978b). The state of research on ego identity: A review and appraisal. Part II.J. Youth Adoles. 7: 371–392.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conger, J. J. (1977).Adolescence and Youth, Harper & Row, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Douvan, E. A., and Adelson, J. (1966).The Adolescent Experience, Wiley, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Erikson, E. H. (1968).Identity, Youth and Crisis, Norton, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • LaBouvie-Vief, G., and Chandler, M. J. (1978). Cognitive development and life-span developmental theory: idealistic and contextual perspectives. In P. Baltes (ed.),Life Span Development and Behavior, Vol. 1, Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marcia, J. E. (1964). Determination and construct validity of ego identity status. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University.

  • Marcia, J. E. (1966). Development and validation of ego identity status.J. Personal. Soc. Psycho. 3: 551–558.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marcia, J. E. (1976). Identity six years after: A follow-up study.J. Youth Adoles. 5: 145–160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meilman, P. W. (1979). Cross sectional age changes in ego identity during adolescence.Dev. Psychol. 15: 23;-231.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nixon, R. E. (1966). Psychological normality in adolescence.Adolescence 1: 211–223.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raphael, D. (1978a). Identity status in high school females.Adolescence 13: 627–642.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Raphael, D. (1978b). Identity status in high school students: Implications for teachers and guidance counselors.Canad. J. Educ. 3: 81–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raphael, D. (1980). A three year follow-up of 100 high school females. Paper submitted to APA Division on Women for the 1980 Annual Convention.

  • St. Clair, S., and Day, H. D. (1979). Ego identity status and values among high school females.J. Youth Adoles. 8: 317–326.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waterman, A. S., and Archer, S. (1979). Ego identity status and expressive writing among high school and college students.J. Youth Adoles. 8: 327–342.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Research Officer, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, USA

    Dennis Raphael

Authors
  1. Dennis Raphael
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Helga G. Xelowski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Received his Ph.D. from University of Toronto. Research interests are life-span developmental psychology and adolescent behavior.

Received B. A. from the Northeastern Illinois University.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Raphael, D., Xelowski, H.G. Identity status in high school students: Critique and a revised paradigm. J Youth Adolescence 9, 383–389 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02087676

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02087676

Keywords

  • High School
  • Health Psychology
  • Identity Status
  • School Psychology
  • High School Student