Black adolescent identity development: effects of self-esteem and family structure

Black adolescent identity formation was studied within the frameworks of Erikson's psychosocial theory and structural family systems theory. Ego identity was measured by the Revised Version of the EOM-EIS, an instrument based on Erikson's theoretical formulations. Family structure was measured by FACES III and a measure of self-esteem was obtained using Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale. It was hypothesized that a significant relationship would exist between ego identity and family structure after controlling for self-esteem and demographic variables. Two hundred thirty-seven urban black adolescents participated in the study. Multiple regression analysis was utilized to test the hypotheses in this study. The results supported a relationship between ego identity and family structure. The results further revealed a positive relationship between high family cohesion (enmeshment) and high identity which was surprising from both Eriksonian and structural perspectives. On the other hand, this finding offered support for the cultural component of ego identity and underscored the importance of recognizing strengths in family structures even if they differ from those which family theorists and clinicians expect would work best. Self-esteem was found to be a significant predictor of ego identity but failed to differentiate among the four ego identity statuses. Females reported significantly less identity diffusion than males, providing evidence that gender differences exist in ego identity development.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Family and Child Development

Department dc:contributor.department

Family and Child Development

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1987

Author dc:creator

• Watson, Marlene F.

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Protinsky, Howard O.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Bird, Gloria W.
• Hardy, Kenneth V.
• Hinkle, Dennis E.
• Keller, James P.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/53663

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/53663