The Transition to Young Adulthood: Generational Boundary Dissolution and Female Identity Development

This research explored links between differential qualities of family connectedness and young adult females' development of an independent identity. Identity development involves exploration of possible roles and choices in particular domains such as occupation, dating, and friendship, followed...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Family process 1993-03, Vol.32 (1), p.87-103
Main Authors: FULLINWIDER-BUSH, NELL, JACOBVITZ, DEBORAH B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescent girls
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Career Choice
Caregivers - psychology
Courtship
Family - psychology
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gender Identity
Human Development
Humans
Identity formation
Intergenerational Relations
Male
Parent-Child Relations
Problem Solving
Psychology, Adolescent
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Self Concept
Social psychology
Social structure and organization
Surveys and Questionnaires
Transition
Women - psychology
Young women
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Summary:This research explored links between differential qualities of family connectedness and young adult females' development of an independent identity. Identity development involves exploration of possible roles and choices in particular domains such as occupation, dating, and friendship, followed by commitment to a set of values and behaviors in one of these areas. In this study, women who reported that their parents encouraged autonomy while still maintaining closeness also reported more exploration in their friendship and dating relationships. In contrast, reports of parent‐child boundary dissolution, characterized by role‐reversal, enmeshment, and overinvolvement, were related to less exploration, particularly in dating relationships. Mother‐daughter boundary dissolution, specifically, was linked to women'stendency to base their commitments to a career and relationships with others on parental values and expectations without ever exploring alternative choices. Father‐daughter boundary dissolution was related to lower exploration as well as lower commitment to values and beliefs in any area. These findings lend support to theoretical and clinical impressions that inter‐generational boundary violations hinder the development of an independent identity.
ISSN:0014-7370
1545-5300
DOI:10.1111/j.1545-5300.1993.00087.x