The second separation-individuation process of adolescence : a study in a Western Cape high school
This study aims to understand the difficulties students are experiencing within the separationindividuation process of adolescence which could be impacting on their optimal process of growing up. The rationale for doing this research arose from the researcher's work with adolescents, in a school setting, who were presenting with difficulties in a number of areas. Bios' (1967, 1979) theory of adolescence, as a second separation-individuation process of development, provided a useful basis for understanding and examining the difficulties with which the students were dealing. The literature review traces a developmental process, drawing on Psychoanalytic and Object Relation Theorists, towards adolescence. This process highlights the links between early and later development and the importance of optimal early development on later developmental processes. Adolescence, as a second separation-individuation stage of development, is discussed.
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