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Developmental Assets and Identity Among Emerging Adults in Turkey

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Handbook of Positive Youth Development

Part of the book series: Springer Series on Child and Family Studies ((SSCFS))

Abstract

Identity formation (searching for identity alternatives in various domains and committing to certain roles) is a fundamental developmental task for young people, whereas achieving a coherent sense of identity through explorations and commitments is crucial for healthy development. Yet, achieving a sense of coherent identity is more challenging today as compared to previous decades where life choices were fewer and the pathways towards social roles were more pre-determined. The present chapter advocates for the utility of the asset-based approach to identity formation, and presents two empirical studies from Turkey. These studies test the assumptions that social-environmental (external) (i.e., empowerment, support, boundaries and expectations, constructive use of time) and individual (internal) (i.e., social competence, positive values, commitment to learning) developmental assets are strongly related to identity statuses (Study 1) and identity dimensions (Study 2), through a positive sense of self. The findings of both studies showed direct and indirect pathways between developmental assets and identity statuses (Study 1; achievement, moratorium, foreclosure, and diffusion), and identity dimensions (Study 2; exploration in-breadth, exploration in-depth, commitment making, identifications with commitment, and ruminative exploration). This chapter extends Positive Youth Development (PYD) scholarship in under-investigated cultural context by highlighting the relevant role of external and internal assets for healthy identity among young people.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Ozyegin University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Ayfer Dost-Gözkan

  2. Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

    Nora Wiium

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  1. Ayfer Dost-Gözkan
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  2. Nora Wiium
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Correspondence to Ayfer Dost-Gözkan .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden

    Radosveta Dimitrova

  2. Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

    Nora Wiium

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Dost-Gözkan, A., Wiium, N. (2021). Developmental Assets and Identity Among Emerging Adults in Turkey. In: Dimitrova, R., Wiium, N. (eds) Handbook of Positive Youth Development. Springer Series on Child and Family Studies. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-70262-5_11

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