The Contribution of the Family to the Facilitation of Identity Formation in Early Adolescence

This paper explores the family's role in the facilitation of identity formation in early adolescence. First, studies that focus on the family's style of adapting to the transition from childhood into early adolescence are reviewed. Second, research on the relation between identity formation and family processes in late adolescence is reviewed in order to suggest directions for future research with early adolescents. Finally, three issues warranting further investigation are outlined: gender differences, domain-specific studies of identity, and longitudinal studies of developmental sequences of identity formation.