Patricia Hyjer Dyk

Identity and intimacy: An initial investigation of three theoretical models using cross-lag panel correlations.

This investigation specified three models regarding the association between identity and intimacy formation and investigated their potential validity using a longitudinal cross-lag panel design. Seventy-one males and 71 females completed identity and intimacy measures on two occasions over a 5-week period. The primary findings are (1) individuals with a clear sense of identity are more likely, 5 weeks later, to have a more advanced sense of intimacy for both sexes when sex-role identification is removed from gender comparisons; (2) sex-role orientation mediates the identity/intimacy association, while for females, a masculine orientation is associated with a pattern similar to that observed for either masculine- or feminine-oriented males; and (3) femininity is associated with a more fused connection between identity and intimacy for females. This report provides an initial investigation studying the identity/intimacy association during late adolescence based on three theoretical perspectives. Theoretical interpretations and conclusions are offered.

The Association between Identity Development and Intimacy during Adolescence: A Theoretical Treatise:

An analysis of the personal (individuation) and social (integration) aspects of both identity and intimacy is undertaken. An argument is advanced on the role both social and personal dimensions play in our construction of the identity and the intimacy constructs, with the primary goal of encouraging a new and broader look at how identity and intimacy can be examined as intertwining aspects of personality and social development during adolescence. The basic functions of identity and intimacy are discussed and the inter-linkage that exists between the two constructs is analyzed. Speculations on future research directions regarding developmental and behavioral research questions are provided.

Community of Caring Effects on Adolescent Mothers: A Program Evaluation Case Study.

Pregnancy intervention through the Community of Caring hospital-based programs in Las Cruces New Mexico and Boston Massachusetts were evaluated between 1985-88 to determine program effectiveness in improving mothers and childrens lives: improving self worth and control over ones life knowledge about sexuality and child care improvement in parenting and improvement in relationships to family systems and support networks. These 2 programs were selected out of 12 based on selected criteria. Pre and post testing (a 2 month and 1 year followup) were conducted among a nonrandomly selected population and control groups were solicited from among WIC recipients <30 weeks pregnant and <19 years and medical clinic only clients from St. Margarets Hospital in Boston. The postpartum response rate was 81.4% at 2 months and 79% at 1 year. The Las Cruces sample was comprised of 73% Hispanic and 27% white while Boston had 50% black and 50% white. Age distribution at both sites was similar with a mean age of 16.7 years. More were married in Las Cruces (20.9% versus 4.4%). Catholicism was the predominant religion (Las Cruces 70% and Boston 48%). Parents education reflected lower levels in Las Cruces (33.6% of fathers without a high school degree versus 18.4% in Boston). 46.6% of Las Cruces mothers did not graduate from high school versus 18.4% in Boston. Variables for analysis were of 3 types: utilization of service data background and demographic characteristic data as control variables and outcomes expected from Community of Caring intervention measured baseline 1 month postpartum and 1 year later. There was measurement of personal feeling (plans): self esteem knowledge sexual values and attitudes family ties and support behaviors such as school plans and at risk actions and parenting. Standard ordinary least squares regression was used in the analyses. Outcomes were contrasted for high and low usage groups controlling for background characteristics. Study results showed that participation in the Community of Caring was associated with positive outcomes in Las Cruces and some negative outcomes in Boston. The Boston results may reflect contamination of the control group and those in the low use group might be the most high risk type of pregnant adolescents. Implications are that high and low program usage was important in discriminating effects and appropriate comparison groups and adjustments in the analysis are required.

Turning the Tide on Poverty: Documenting impacts through Ripple Effect Mapping

Abstract As practitioners expand their efforts to promote civic engagement and action through the use of dialog, one of the nagging concerns is how to effectively and successfully measure and document the outcomes associated with these local activities. The organic nature of citizen-led initiatives makes this a particularly challenging area in which to guage results. One promising method, Ripple Effect Mapping (REM), is an effective, easy-to-use, and cost-efficient method of evaluating participatory programs. Evaluators used REM to document the impact of Turning the Tide on Poverty in the southern US. Additionally, the method visually mapped the capacity-building work of communities participating in Tide. Representatives from each community that participated in REM were able to identify multiple accomplishments that resulted from Tide. These accomplishments were categorized using the Community Capitals Framework. REM was a useful evaluation method that documented how the Tide initiative affected the participating communities’ capitals.

On the Dialectics of Pubescence and Psychosocial Development

Research on the association between pubescence and psychosocial development is expanding, but comparative development of theoretical frameworks lags behind. To expand a dialogue on the use of dialectic theory for understanding adolescent development, this article presents an overview of the basic tenets of a dialectical perspective regarding development. One conceptualization of the dialectic process and a general portrait of the dialectics of physical development and appearance are offered to demonstrate how this theoretical perspective could be used to provide structure to current knowledge regarding research on pubescence. Specific attention is given to the meaning and utility of the contrast between congruence and discordance, tranquility and tension, and constructive and destructive reconciliation. Methodological challenges are briefly discussed

Turning the Tide on Poverty: Perceptions of leaders and leadership in economically distressed communities

Abstract The Turning the Tide on Poverty project (Tide) was a civic engagement effort launched in 14 economically distressed southern rural communities in the US. The impetus of Tide was to foster community involvement in identifying and planning “place-based” solutions to poverty. Pre, immediate post, and follow-up data were collected, and qualitative analyses revealed key themes. The purpose of this article was to discuss the perceptions of the leadership theme, defined as the way community members view their local leaders. Findings indicate that positive perceptions of leadership helped communities engage more effectively in Tide. Discussions about who the decision-makers were, styles of leadership used, and whether residents and community leaders interacted in a positive manner are further explored in the context of the Community Capitals Framework.

Turning the Tide on Poverty: Sustainability of community engagement in economically distressed communities

Abstract Turning the Tide on Poverty (“Tide”) was a community engagement program implemented in rural communities in the southern United States seeking place-based solutions to poverty. Tide was structured to evolve and be sustained by local communities after formal support ended. Tide communities were visited a year or more after the end of the program to assess program sustainability. Key factors revealed through qualitative analysis to be important to program sustainability are discussed in the context of the Community Capitals Framework. The connection between Tide sustainability and the development of social capital in the communities is emphasized. Barriers to success and sustainability of Tide are discussed briefly.

Turning the Tide on Poverty: History, theoretical frameworks, and methods

Abstract Desiring to enhance understanding of the key elements that promote community-based democratic engagement and spur people to engage in the vitality of their communities, in 2008 the Turning the Tide on Poverty project launched in six southern US states. Inspired by the successes of the Horizons project in the northwestern US, Tide was a collaborative effort led by the Southern Rural Development Center with partners that included the Kettering Foundation, Everyday Democracy, the Farm Foundation, and land-grant universities. Researchers and Cooperative Extension personnel from southern universities developed a strategy to involve residents in the process of addressing challenges in their impoverished communities. The purpose of this article is to present a brief history and overview of the project, to locate the project within theoretical frameworks, and to discuss the methods used for data collection and analysis. In so doing, we provide a context for the scholarly examination of Tide that follows in this special collection of Community Development.

Turning the Tide on Poverty: The role of the Cooperative Extension Service in the initiative

Abstract Cooperative Extension Services (CES) played a critical role in the Turning the Tide on Poverty (Tide) project in the southern US. In an effort to explore how CES professionals perceived their role in the initiative, data were collected from CES leaders and agents. Focus groups were held at the beginning (N  =  11) and conclusion (N  =  12) of the first year with Extension leadership to discuss their thoughts on CES’ role in civic engagement activities. Survey data were collected from Extension agents (N = 17) to gauge attitudes and beliefs during the course of Tide. Leadership and agents noted potential to expand and strengthen outreach through Tide but also expressed concerns about constraints. Implications are that Tide provided a way to enhance the mission of CES and that community development efforts implemented through Tide could be replicated by other CES.

Turning the Tide on Poverty: Community climate in economically distressed rural communities

Abstract Qualitative research analysis uncovered themes across the multiple rural, economically distressed communities that participated in the Turning the Tide on Poverty project. Community climate, referred to as the perception of the community by its members, was one theme that emerged. Intertwined with this theme is a discussion regarding race relations. How people felt about their community may have influenced whether or not the Turning the Tide on Poverty project was launched, implemented, and/or sustained in communities. To further examine the community climate theme, key questions were developed: What is the sense, perception, or tone of the community? How do respondents describe their community and its chance for a positive future? Did the community embrace Tide and the community projects? The Tide research team also examined how the community handled disagreements and difficult topics as the context for attempts to encourage more positive civic discourse.