The purpose of this study was to review the recent investigations of the ego identity development in adolescence. The definition of the ego identity, the identity formation process, and empirical approaches to assessing ego Identity were explored. At ...
The purpose of this study was to review the recent investigations of the ego identity development in adolescence. The definition of the ego identity, the identity formation process, and empirical approaches to assessing ego Identity were explored. At the same time, the relationship of the ego identity development with other variables, such as family interaction, personality variables, and developmental patterns of movement over time were briefly summarized. Finally, this review examined current issues in ego identity status research. One of the most central questions that evolved from the identity status approach lies in the relationship between global and domain ratings. If identity can be considered as a unitary phenomenon, the question then arises as to how domains are integrated. Future research must examine the ways in which one domain impacts on all others. A second major Issue in need of exploration is the relationship between identity and environmental context. Related to contexts are the roles of culture, social class, ethnicity, and historical ethos in the identity formation process. Research exploring each of these arenas has only just begun. Therefore, these await further systematic examination. The renew study like this, will be expected to stimulate the follow-up study of adolescent ego identity development.