Identity, Autonomy and Transitions

17-18 Years OldErica Riggs

Virginia Sanchez-ValdezSarah Anderson

• Two Theories can be applied to the typical 17 to 18 year old individual

• Erik Erikson: Eight Stages of Psychosocial Development- Stage 5 Identity vs. Role Confusion

• James Marcia: Identity Status

Theories

Erikson- Who am I?

Marcia- ◦ Where does the typical 17-18 yr. old individual searching for

identity fall?

MoratoriumForeclosureDiffusion*Identity Achievement*

What areas of my life do I explore to find out my identity?

Identity

Erikson- How do 17-18 year olds become autonomous?

Marcia--How does the typical 17-18 yr. old become

autonomous? Beginning to leave ForeclosureHeavy exploration in Moratorium

When is autonomy achieved?

Autonomy

Erikson- What do I do now?

Marcia--Foreclosure-Moratorium

What transition do I make after high school?-College/Vocational

-Work-Service-Travel-Marriage/Family-Lack of transition- no life change from high school

Post-Secondary Transitions

Every individual in this age group (17-18) is unique

The movement through Erikson’s stages and Marcia’s statues are not linear, nor is there a “right” way to move

Autonomy, identity and transitions can happen in any order- one must not be achieved in order for the next to begin

Individual Uniqueness

Meet the client where they make meaning

Erikson: Role confusion vs. identity

Marcia: Identity status

How These Theories Guide our Work

Identity“Exploring Three Approaches to Identity

Development”Diane Ganieve and Robert Enright

Others perception of oneself Early Identifications Values

Sources

Autonomy “Parents and Their Young Adult Children:

Transitions to Adulthood”Idy Barasch Gitelson and Dana McDermott

Self-initiation: Autonomy Achieved Delays: Factors that can hinder autonomy Encouragement of Autonomy: A parent’s

role in autonomy development

Sources

Transitions

“Understanding transitions using a sociocultural framework”

Sarah Crafter Et Rachel Maunder

“Phase-Adequate Engagement at the Post-School Transition”

Julia Dietrich, Philip Parker, Katariina Salmela- Aro

Types of transitions and ruptures Transitions within a societal frame Adequate vs. inadequate adjustments

Sources

Real Life Example

Developmental Counseling TheoryAs counselors we must understand where clients

makes meaning and meet them there

Decision Making ModelProblems -Choices -Consequences- Decision

The Transition Guide- Schlossberg and KayListen to client’s stories-help them organize their

thinking on the transition- facts, feelings and meaning

Counseling Strategies

Our research has proven that addressing identity, autonomy and transitions with 17-18

year olds are crucial to aid in healthy development

Personal Reflection

Conclusion

Questions

  Crafter, S., & Maunder, R. (2012). Understanding transition using a sociocultural

framework. Educational And Child Psychology, 29(1), 10-18

Dietrich, J., P., Parker, K., Salmela-Aro Developmental Psychology, Vol 48(6), Nov 2012, 1575-1593. doi: 10.1037/a0030188

Ganiere, D. M., & Enright, R. D. (1989). Exploring three approaches to identity development. Journal Of Youth And Adolescence, 18(3), 283-295.

doi:10.1007/BF02139042

Gitelson, I., & McDermott, D. (2006). Parents and their young adult children: transitions to adulthood. Child Welfare, 85(5), 853-866

References