The Portrait Project: Content and Process of Identity Development Among Young Men of Color in East Oakland

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-367
Author(s):  
Stephanie Fong Gomez ◽  
Cassondra Marshall ◽  
Regina Jackson ◽  
Amani Allen

Identity is the key psychological task of adolescence, with lifelong implications on health and behavior. A holistic understanding of content and process of identity development among male adolescents and emerging adults of color may lead to more effective interventions to improve health outcomes. Men aged 18 to 24 years were recruited from a nonprofit serving predominantly low-income Black and Latino youth in Oakland, CA. This exploratory, multimethod study utilized self-portraiture, interviews, and a focus group. Procedures were approved by the University of California (UC), Berkeley Committee for Protection of Human Subjects (CPHS). Phenomenology and grounded theory principles facilitated a rich understanding of the lived experiences and meanings participants attributed to their identities. Participants used positively valenced language to describe multifaceted, intersectional identities. Despite identifying with stigmatized groups, participants were proud to be male, Black or Latino, and from Oakland. Cognitive processes and adaptive behaviors mediated the impact of environmental factors—including discrimination, family members, peers, and place—on identity development. Practitioners will benefit from recognizing the complex identities of boys and young men of color. Further research should explore the intersectional nature of identity, cumulative health effects of developing and maintaining positive identities despite pervasive discrimination, and role of positive youth development programming in positive identity formation.

Author(s):  
Iryna Hubeladze

The paper deals with the phenomenon of sense of ownership as a socially determined entity, which appears on the basis of an instinctive need for ownership. Sense of ownership is defined as an emotional state of an individual, reflecting subjective evaluative attitudes towards real or abstract ownership targets. Sense of ownership has a number of levels, ranging from feelings to a particular object to more advanced social forms related to social values, ideals and personal attitudes. Sense of ownership is formed, actualized or deactivated during a human life under the influence of various social and psychological factors. The peculiarities of manifestation and stages of sense of ownership formation at different age periods are described in the article. Sociopsychological and political and psychological determinants of formation, actualization or deactivation, leveling or weakening of sense of ownership in ontogenesis are determined. They are motivation of psychological appropriation, group attitude towards ownership, group social and economic identity, development of value-semantic sphere of personality, as well as group values and meanings, collective emotional states, feeling of domination or dependence, intergroup and ingroup comparison, threat of loss of ownership, self-investing, psychological legitimization of ownership possession, and social competition. Sense of ownership can vary phenomenologically depending on the impact of various social and psychological factors, and can play both stimulating and hindering roles in individual identity formation. It can have different modalities, intensity, duration, depth, level of awareness, complexity, substantive content, and various conditions of occurrence, functions performed depending on the situation, different influence on a person, forms and conditions of its development. These determinants can operate in different ways and cause sense of ownership actualization or deactivation depending on the circumstances and stage of life, individual psychological features and his/her social environment. The influence of social and political conflicts on sense of ownership actualization/deactivation is analyzed using the example of internally displaced persons. Key words: sense of ownership, psychological ownership, social and psychological determination, sense of ownership formation, ontogenesis.


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-238
Author(s):  
Sarah Demmrich ◽  
Uwe Wolfradt

Abstract This study examines the meaning of personal rituals for the adolescent identity development and emotion regulation. Both are ritual functions and can be characterized as adolescent developmental tasks. However, there is no consistent pattern in previous research to explain the processes for how identity is formed and emotions are regulated during the performance of personal rituals. Therefore, a questionnaire study among 410 (182 male) adolescents (age: M = 15.06, SD = .61) was carried out. The questionnaire used the Berzonsky Identity Style Inventory and various measures to assess different experiences during the ritual (i.e. mood, emotion regulation, reality-transforming experiences). After separating spiritual from non-spiritual rituals, the results showed that spiritual rituals were used as a means for emotion regulation. Furthermore, self-reflection was closely related to the information-oriented identity style. The findings are discussed against the background of the impact of spiritual practices for emotional and identity development in adolescence.


2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 481-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaina Riciputi ◽  
Meghan H. McDonough ◽  
Sarah Ullrich-French

Physical activity–based positive youth development (PYD) programs often aim to foster character development. This study examined youth perspectives of character development curricula and the impact these activities have on their lives within and beyond the program. This case study examined youth from low-income families in a physical activity–based summer PYD program that integrated one character concept (respect, caring, responsibility, trust) in each of 4 weeks. Participants (N = 24) included a cross section of age, gender, ethnicity, and past program experience. Semi-structured interviews were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis and constant comparative methods. Thirteen themes were grouped in four categories: building highquality reciprocal relationships; intrapersonal improvement; moral reasoning and understanding; and rejection, resistance, and compliance. The findings provide participant-centered guidance for understanding youth personal and social development through physical activity in ways that are meaningful to participants, which is particularly needed for youth in low-income communities with limited youth programming.


2020 ◽  
pp. 216769682094659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua G. Parmenter ◽  
Renee V. Galliher ◽  
Ashley C. Yaugher ◽  
Adam D. A. Maughan

Although modern comprehensive conceptual models of sexual identity development acknowledge contextual factors, existing models have placed less emphasis on (a) the influence of multiple domains of identity on sexual identity formation and (b) centrality and negotiation of various domains of identity. The present study sought to explore processes, identity conflicts, and management of sexual identity relative to other identity domains among sexual minority emerging adults in the United States. Fourteen sexual minority emerging adults (20–25 years) with a diverse array of identities participated in semistructured individual interviews, and five participants engaged in two follow-up focus groups. Findings supported two broad categories with subthemes: identity conflict (unaffirming and oppressive contexts, lack of resources to explore identity) and identity coherence (resources used to manage and facilitate identity coherence; acceptance, affirmation, and harmony; and centrality and salience of sexual identity within identity configurations). Findings have implications for the study of sexual identity development within the context of other domains of identity.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping Ho ◽  
Jennie C. I. Tsao ◽  
Lian Bloch ◽  
Lonnie K. Zeltzer

Low-income youth experience social-emotional problems linked to chronic stress that are exacerbated by lack of access to care. Drumming is a non-verbal, universal activity that builds upon a collectivistic aspect of diverse cultures and does not bear the stigma of therapy. A pretest-post-test non-equivalent control group design was used to assess the effects of 12 weeks of school counselor-led drumming on social-emotional behavior in two fifth-grade intervention classrooms versus two standard education control classrooms. The weekly intervention integrated rhythmic and group counseling activities to build skills, such as emotion management, focus and listening. The Teacher’s Report Form was used to assess each of 101 participants (n= 54 experimental,n= 47 control, 90% Latino, 53.5% female, mean age 10.5 years, range 10–12 years). There was 100% retention. ANOVA testing showed that intervention classrooms improved significantly compared to the control group in broad-band scales (total problems (P< .01), internalizing problems (P< .02)), narrow-band syndrome scales (withdrawn/depression (P< .02), attention problems (P< .01), inattention subscale (P< .001)), Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-oriented scales (anxiety problems (P< .01), attention deficit/hyperactivity problems (P< .01), inattention subscale (P< .001), oppositional defiant problems (P< .03)), and other scales (post-traumatic stress problems (P< .01), sluggish cognitive tempo (P< .001)). Participation in group drumming led to significant improvements in multiple domains of social-emotional behavior. This sustainable intervention can foster positive youth development and increase student-counselor interaction. These findings underscore the potential value of the arts as a therapeutic tool.


Humaniora ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-99
Author(s):  
Firman Budianto

The research aimed to discuss and analyze Japanese returnees’ life story and self-perception on their identity by emphasizing how the host country affected their identity development as well as their vision on the future. The data were drawn from in-depth interviews with three kikokushijo students and qualitatively analyzed. The research finds three areas related to how the host country shaped their identity and future life trajectory; the development of bicultural identity, the feeling of being kikokushijo in Japanese society nowadays, and the impact of living overseas to future life trajectory. Three kikokushijos in the research demonstrate the different processes in their bicultural identity formation. Among the key factors in such a process are the family and school. The social contexts of the country where they resided play a greater role not in shaping their cultural identity, but in shaping their life trajectories, particularly, their career aspirations and future mobility. However, the research suggests that the discourse on kikokushijo paves the way to the idea of individualism and heterogeneity in Japanese society.


2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 422-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nino Skhirtladze ◽  
Nino Javakhishvili ◽  
Seth J. Schwartz ◽  
Koen Luyckx

In this study, we examine personal identity formation using two approaches: a dual-cycle model of identity development and a narrative life-story model. We used quantitative and qualitative methods for studying personal identity: Luyckx et al.’s Dimensions of Identity Development Scale and D. P. McAdams’ life-story interview. Using six cases selected from a sample of 62 Georgian emerging adults, we illustrate how identity profiles created using six identity dimensions (exploration in breadth, commitment-making, identification with commitment, reflective exploration in depth, reconsideration of commitment, and ruminative exploration) are reflected in life stories depicting participants’ paths toward identity commitments and their ideas about the future and life themes. This article demonstrates how identity dimensions are connected to the context and how this connection is manifested in their life stories. The research illustrates theoretical exemplification by case studies and exemplifies the manifestation of dual-cycle identity development theorizing in case examples through narratives.


2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-44
Author(s):  
Mark W. Cannister

When the faith formation of adolescents is a priority in youth ministries we value the disequilibrium in their lives as formation necessitates questioning, exploring, and wrestling with contradictions. This article explores the intersections of identity development and faith formation while seeking to understand the importance of providing adolescents with space to wrestle with their faith in the midst of a caring faith community. Attention is given to Marcia’s theory of identity formation in light of Smith’s research on the religious lives of adolescents and emerging adults. Special consideration is given to developing healthy environments that fosters adolescent faith formation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley R. Garrin ◽  
Sara B. Marcketti

The Black Pride and Power Movements of the 1960s and 1970s changed the aesthetic of the larger African American community, promoting self-affirmation and reclaiming African pride. As individuals engaged in the movement, they began to internalize new meanings and understandings of themselves, leading to self-transformation and collective identity that promoted the specific political ideology and agenda of the group. In this research, the lived experiences of African American women who were emerging adults (ages 18–25) during the Civil Rights Movement from 1960 to 1974 were examined, through in-depth interviews, to understand their experiences with wearing natural hairstyles during this time. Seven participants highlighted how wearing natural hair was used in the three dimensions of collective identity formation: boundaries, consciousness, and negotiation. Participants’ counterhegemonic use of appearance constructed, created, and negotiated a collective identity that was aligned with demonstration for racial equality of African Americans.


2021 ◽  
pp. 216769682110161
Author(s):  
Rimantas Vosylis ◽  
Angela Sorgente ◽  
Margherita Lanz

Financial identity formed during emerging adulthood is important for the regulation of youth financial behaviors, decisions, and long-term financial goals. This three-wave short-term longitudinal study investigates how youth develop a distinct manner of approaching and managing personal finances and reveals the structure and dynamics of financial identity development during emerging adulthood. Using the cross-lagged panel model analysis, it also investigates longitudinal reciprocal associations between financial identity processes, financial behaviors, and financial well-being of emerging adults. The sample consists of 533 Lithuanian higher education students (56.8% women; M age = 18.93, SD age = 0.71) who took part in three assessment waves. The findings support the use of the three-factor model of financial identity formation and show that financial identity formation is shaped by emerging adults’ financial situation and contribute to the formation of financial behaviors and financial well-being. Practical implications of study results are also discussed.


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