Leanne K. Lamke

Toward a Microprocess Perspective on Adolescent Identity Development An Identity Control Theory Approach

An abundance of research has been conducted on identityformation during adolescence, however, very little is bwwn about the processes that actually drive identity development. Furthermore, limited attention has been paid to the active influence of relationships with parents and peers on identity. Recentl, control theory has-been recognized as a useful framewor*from which to examine the microprocesses involved in identityformation. The purpose of this article is to describe identity development from this microprocess perspective and to extend the Grotevant model of identity formation processes. When applied to identity, control theory brings attennon to such intrapersonal factors as identity standards and self-perceptions, and such interpersonal factors as reflected appraisals and social behaviors as major contrbutors to the process of identity development. Implicationsfor using identty control theory to elaborate the identity statuses, to understand reciprocal identity influences in interpersonal relationships, and to drive methodologies used to exanune identity processes, are offered.

A Conceptual Approach to Understanding Abused Women's Stay/Leave Decisions:

This article critically examines four theoretical approaches identified by Strube (1988) as relevant to abused womens stay/leave decision-making processes. It is argued that these four approaches have overlapping components that may be combined into a single framework for understanding abused womens stay/leave decisions. The essential aspects of abused womens stay/leave decisions appear to revolve around two central questions: “Will I be better off?” and “Can I do it?” This model proposes that abused womens stay/leave decisions occur in a stepwise fashion. A woman may wish to leave her relationship but be inhibited from doing so because she does not feel she has control over her circumstances. Conversely, a woman may have the necessary resources for leaving but may wish to remain in the relationship. Empirical work in the fields of marital and dating violence is reviewed and provides preliminary support for the components of this two-step model of abused womens stay/leave decisions.

Conflict resolution strategies and marital distress as mediating factors in the link between witnessing interparental violence and wife battering.

This study investigated the mediating effects of men’s ineffective conflict resolution strategies and marital distress on the intergenerational transmission of wife battering. Subjects were 1836 men who participated in the Second National Family Violence Survey. Results indicated that men who witnessed interparental violence were more likely to use ineffective conflict resolution strategies. The use of ineffective conflict resolution strategies increased men’s likelihood of encountering marital distress and engaging in wife battering. Contrary to the expectations of the study, results also revealed a direct link between witnessing interparental violence and wife battering.

Instrumentalness and expressiveness: Predictors of heterosexual relationship satisfaction

The purpose of this study was to identify the extent to which stage of relationship development moderated the link between instrumentalness, expressiveness, and relationship satisfaction. Three hundred ninety three subjects indicated that they were either casually dating, seriously dating, or engaged. Results revealed that although relationship stage predicted satisfaction for both males and females, it did not interact significantly with instrumentalness and expressiveness and thus, did not serve a moderating function. Results also indicated that for males, self-perceptions of instrumentalness and expressiveness, as well as partners perceived expressiveness predicted relationship satisfaction. For females, partners perceived instrumentalness and expressiveness significantly predicted relationship satisfaction. Discussion centered on the different findings for males and females, and on implications for future research concerning the influence of instrumentalness and expressiveness on dyadic interaction.

Revisiting the Identity Control Theory Approach A Rejoinder

Adams (1997), Berzonksy (1997), and Grotevant (1997) provided disceming comnentary on the strengths of using a control theory approach to guide research on identity development. They highlighted critical issues and provided suggestions for expanding the identity control theory model. Our response to these comments focuses on the overarching meta-model; the origination and nature of identity standards; thefit of the control theory model with existing identityframeworks; andthe utilityof the nodelforaddressing important issues of developmental shifts, individual diferences, and cultural context.

Adolescent sex-role orientation and ego identity.

This study investigated the relationship between sex-role development and ego development in a sample of 9th-12th grade Anglo-American and Mexican-American students attending high school in a southwestern state. All students were administered: (a) the Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status (Grotevant and Adams, 1984) as a measure of ego development (i.e., diffusion, foreclosure, moratorium, and identity achievement), and (b) the Personal Attributes Questionnaire Short Form (Spence, Helmreich and Stapp, 1975) as a measure of masculinity and femininity. Results indicated no ethnic differences in the relationship between ego identity and masculinity/femininity. Adolescents who were identity achieved on ideological identity formation had significantly higher levels of masculinity than did moratorium, foreclosed, and diffused individuals. For interpersonal identity, identity achieved adolescents had higher levels of both masculinity and femininity than did individuals who were foreclosed, diffused, or in moratorium. Discussion centered on these results in light of the additional finding that there was little shared variance (eta2) between masculinity, femininity and ego identity.