Pubertal Timing and Identity Crisis: A Preliminary Investigation

Abstract

Retrospective self-report data were utilized in an attempt to investigate the relationship between pubertal timing and identity-crisis status. Identity status interviews were administered to 105 late adolescents: 46 males and 59 females. Retrospective reports about pubertal onset were obtained. The results indicated that crisis males reportedly matured significantly later than their non-crisis counterparts whereas the opposite pattern was found with female subjects: crisis females reportedly matured earlier than their noncrisis counterparts. A social-learning interpretation is considered: adolescents who tend (or appear) to fit prevailing social expectation (viz., early-maturing males and late-maturing females) are less apt to deal with personal identity issues. Alternative interpretations and future research concerns are discussed.

The influence of pubertal timing on self-identity among junior high school girls: mediating effects of parenting styles

“…According to the theory of Puberty-initiated Mediation Hypothesis, parenting style may play a mediating role in the influence of puberty timing on self-identity. The results of the present study indicate that the mediating role of parenting style is only reflected in maternal parenting style, that maternal rejection has significant predictive power on the diffusion of consciousness and overall diffusion, that maternal rejection partially mediates the diffusion of consciousness and overall diffusion in the puberty timing (early maturity group), and that maternal rejection does not affect the diffusion of consciousness and overall diffusion in the late maturity group, which verifies the hypothesis of the present study and is consistent with Berzonsky et al [11]. Early maturity girls develop physically earlier than girls of the same age and appear more mature in appearance, often causing discomfort and embarrassment to their parents, which in turn affects their parents' reactions to them, and their parents' reactions affect their self-evaluation and perception.…”

“…The results of the present study showed significant differences between the puberty timing on the diffusion of consciousness, diffusion of sameness, and delayed consciousness, and early maturing junior high school girls scored significantly higher than the adapted and late maturing groups, which is consistent with previous findings [11], indicating that early maturing junior high school girls are more likely to experience a crisis of sameness. Early maturing junior high school girls have the highest scores in the diffusion of consciousness and overall diffusion dimensions, which may be related to the stereotypical expectations of society, as early maturing junior high school girls are more in line with social expectations due to their physical maturity, leaving people around them with the illusion that they are also more mature psychologically [26].…”

“…Erikson argues that girls with early puberty timing who do not conform to social expectations and social roles due to their maturing appearance may face more stress, controversy, and self-awareness issues than their peers, and are more likely to experience crises of personal and self-affirming sameness [10]. Berzonsky and Lombardo build on Erikson's theory by suggesting that early maturing girls face more stress, controversy, and self-awareness issues that further affect their aspirations, exploration of values, and are more likely to experience a crisis of self-identity; nevertheless the image of late maturing girls is more in line with social expectations, they tend to give up the exploration of their aspirations and values to conform to parental expectations, they are less likely to experience a crisis of sameness and are prone to enter an early closure [11].…”

Ethnic and Racial Identity During Adolescence and Into Young Adulthood: An Integrated Conceptualization

“…Finally, an experience unique to adolescence, which may further inform how ERI unfolds, is the onset of puberty. Berzonsky and Lombardo (1983) found an association between pubertal timing and personal identity crises status. We speculate that this association also may hold true for ERI development.…”