Though often discussed as a discrete event, puberty comprises one segment of a larger developmental continuum and is notable for rapid transformation across a multitude of domains. While an earlier timing of puberty relative to peers stands as one of the most well-replicated antecedents of adolescent difficulties for girls, findings have been less…

Updating a previous systematic review of the literature, this review summarizes the literature over the last 5 years on the relationship between school-based extracurricular activity participation and academic achievement, substance use, sexual activity, psychological adjustment, and delinquency. The review also considers mediators and moderators…

Psychological control refers to manipulative parental behavior that intrudes upon the child's psychological world. During the past decade, socialization research has consistently demonstrated the negative effects of psychologically controlling parenting on children's and adolescents' development. However, there has been relatively little advance…

Although dual-process models in cognitive, personality, and social psychology have stimulated a large body of research about analytic and heuristic modes of decision making, these models have seldom been applied to the study of adolescent risk behaviors. In addition, the developmental course of these two kinds of information processing, and their…

Responds to van Hoof's (1999) critique of the identity status paradigm. Concludes that a useful strategy with university students may be to focus on the social-cognitive processes underpinning identity statuses and to conceptualize these identity orientations as different styles of dealing with the demands, challenges, and opportunities afforded…

Responds to Waterman's (1999) and Berzonsky and Adams' (1999) commentaries regarding review of the identity status field. Demonstrates that arguments and data from commentaries often support the view that the statuses are insufficiently valid and that they are unsuitable for measuring identity development. Advocates fundamental revisions of the…

Maintains that the findings of the Utrecht Study of Adolescent Development are consistent with theoretical expectations and previous research outcomes. Uses the Utrecht data to analyze hypothesized age differences in patterns of intraindividual identity status change. Discusses possible explanations for the partial failure to confirm this aspect…

Reviews the literature on shame and on adolescence and suggests that attention to the role of shame in adolescent development is warranted. Discusses how social-cognitive, physical, and interpersonal changes associated with adolescence may be associated with normative increases in shame, and how shame may be implicated in gender-related shifts in…

Examines similarities and differences between American and Dutch research on identity formation and psychological well-being in adolescent and young adults. Concludes that identity development is systematically progressive and may be described with the trajectory diffusion?closure/moratorium?achieving commitment. Age differences are found in the…

Reviews literature on ego identity development. Presents a model of identity development as an iterative process of person-context transactions. Maintains that one's developmental trajectory is determined by the way conflicts arising through transactions are solved. Suggests that optimal development requires balance between assimilation and…

Maintains that van Hoof misrepresents views of theorists and researchers working with identity status constructs. Examines the paradigm's theoretical underpinnings and the construct validity of ego identity. Provides empirical evidence for six propositions within the theory of identity status development. Examines literature reviewed by van Hoof…

Evaluates the identity status research paradigm; reviews studies on identity status development. Maintains that the definition of ego identity and the statuses neglect a sense of temporal-spatial continuity. Reports shortcomings in the validation of the identity statuses; empirical studies reveal no significant developmental changes in identity…

Presents a typology outlining five psychological risk states that may be experienced by adolescent drivers. Identifies the habitually cautious driving and active risk avoidance states as desirable from a traffic safety viewpoint. Identifies reduced risk perception, acceptance of risk at a cost, and risk seeking states as undesirable. Examines…

Reviewed theoretical claims of identity status model and empirical studies on identity development in adolescence/young adulthood. Found support for assumption of a progressive direction in identity development. Examined data from longitudinal study of identity development and psychological well-being in Dutch adolescents; found that stability of…