Dynamics of Identity Development in Adolescence: A Decade in Review

An Age Group Comparison of Concurrent Hospice Care: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

This study aimed to examine the cost-effectiveness of concurrent hospice care compared with standard care among pediatric patients of different age groups. Using a national Medicaid database of 18 152 pediatric patients enrolled in hospice care between 2011 and 2013, this study calculated and analyzed incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) for concurrent care versus standard hospice care for children of 4 age categories: <1 year, 1 to 5 years, 6 to 14 years, and 15 to 20 years. The results indicated that the total Medicaid cost of hospice care was $3229 per patient per month (PPPM; SD, $8709) for those younger than 1 year, $4793 PPPM (SD, $8178) for those aged 1 to 5 years, $5411 PPPM (SD, $7456) for those aged 6 to 14 years, and $5625 PPPM (SD, $11459) for those aged 15 to 20 years. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio values across all age groups showed that children enrolled in concurrent care had fewer live discharges but at a higher Medicaid cost of care as compared with those enrolled in standard hospice care. Concurrent hospice care was the most cost-effective in the age groups of <1 year and 1 to 5 years, with ICERs equal to $45 (95% confidence interval [CI], $23-$66) and $49 (95% CI, $8-$76), respectively. For the other older age groups, benefits of enrollment in concurrent care came at a much higher cost: in the age group of 6 to 14 years, ICER was equal to $217 (95% CI, $129-$217), and in the age group of 15 to 20 years, it was $107 (95% CI, $82-$183). Concurrent hospice is an effective way to reduce live discharges but has a higher total Medicaid cost than standard hospice care.

Parents and caregivers as key players in the prevention and identification of body image concerns and eating disorders among early adolescents

Early adolescence (ages 11-14 years) is a key period for the emergence of body image and eating concerns, and early identification and access to treatment are imperative for positive outcomes. Despite research identifying this critical developmental period, few prevention resources are available for early adolescents. Parents are key players for this age group and important socializing agents. As such, they are well positioned to help youth access resources or support where needed. However, programs to position and involve parents as interventionists are lacking. Our aims are two-fold. First, we review the evidence for the effectiveness of parents as body image interventionists and the existing data regarding parental needs. Second, we provide directions for future research and outline a framework for empowering parents as interventionists, identifying key domains in which parents may play a role in addressing body image and eating concerns among early adolescents. Based on the extent literature, these domains include facilitating engagement with or co-utilizing intervention content to decrease body image and eating concerns in at-risk children, which may also help to increase parents' effectiveness in their efforts to support youth. In addition, parents may deliver content to decrease or reverse risk-factors and early symptoms, or disrupt the early disorder phase of illness. To date, parents constitute an underutilized resource in eating disorder and disordered eating prevention, and efforts should be made to increase the evidence-based strategies to leverage their relationship with at-risk children.

An exploration of having social media influencers deliver a first-line digital intervention to improve body image among adolescent girls: A qualitative study

Social media influencers are popular among adolescents and could offer a unique way to reach young people at scale with body image interventions. This study explored girls' and influencers' views on having influencers deliver body image interventions through vlogs (video blogs) and to gain insight into their preferred format, content, and views on factors that encourage engagement with vlogs. Twenty-one UK based participants were recruited. Three online focus groups were conducted with adolescent girls (n = 16) aged 14-18 years and one with influencers (n = 5) aged 24-33 years, who had a collective following of over 1.5 million subscribers across social media platforms. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis and four themes were generated: Choosing an influencer whose messages and core values are aligned with the topic of body image; the importance of influencer authenticity and personal experience; collaborating on content creation with mental health professionals; and the need for long-form (i.e., 10-20 min) content to address serious topics. Findings suggest having influencers deliver body image interventions to young people could be a useful approach. Results highlight the need to engage with end users from the outset of intervention development to increase the likelihood of intervention effectiveness and engagement.

Web-Based, Human-Guided, or Computer-Guided Transdiagnostic Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in University Students With Anxiety and Depression: Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Internet-based cognitive behavioral interventions (iCBTs) are efficacious treatments for depression and anxiety. However, it is unknown whether adding human guidance is feasible and beneficial within a large educational setting.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to potentially demonstrate the superiority of 2 variants of a transdiagnostic iCBT program (human-guided and computer-guided iCBT) over care as usual (CAU) in a large sample of university students and the superiority of human-guided iCBT over computer-guided iCBT.

METHODS

A total of 801 students with elevated levels of anxiety, depression, or both from a large university in the Netherlands were recruited as participants and randomized to 1 of 3 conditions: human-guided iCBT, computer-guided iCBT, and CAU. The primary outcome measures were depression (Patient Health Questionnaire) and anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale). Secondary outcomes included substance use-related problems (Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test and Drug Abuse Screening Test-10 items). Linear mixed models were used to estimate the effects of time, treatment group, and their interactions (slopes). The primary research question was whether the 3 conditions differed in improvement over 3 time points (baseline, midtreatment, and after treatment) in terms of depression and anxiety symptoms. Results were analyzed according to the intention-to-treat principle using multiple imputation. Patients were followed exploratively from baseline to 6 and 12 months.

RESULTS

In both short-term and long-term analyses, the slopes for the 3 conditions did not differ significantly in terms of depression and anxiety, although both web-based interventions were marginally more efficacious than CAU over 6 months (P values between .02 and .03). All groups showed significant improvement over time (P<.001). For the secondary outcomes, only significant improvements over time (across and not between groups) were found for drug use (P<.001). Significant differences were found in terms of adherence, indicating that participants in the human-guided condition did more sessions than those in the computer-guided condition (P=.002).

CONCLUSIONS

The transdiagnostic iCBT program offers a practical, feasible, and efficacious alternative to usual care to tackle mental health problems in a large university setting. There is no indication that human guidance should be preferred over technological guidance. The potential preference of human support also depends on the scale of implementation and cost-effectiveness, which need to be addressed in future trials.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

International Clinical Trials Registry Platform NL7328/NTR7544; https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=NL-OMON26795.

Recent stressful life events and identity development in emerging adults: An examination of within-person effects

OBJECTIVE

To examine longitudinal associations among stressful life events and identity processess in emerging adults while accounting for within-person and between-person effects.

BACKGROUND

Theoretical perspectives suggest that stressful life events may impact one's identity (i.e., coherent sense of self), but few studies have considered how changes in stressful life events are associated with changes within an individual's identity development over time (within-person effects).

METHODS

 Recent stressful life events (i.e., academic problems, friendship problems, romantic problems, and time pressure) and the processes through which identity develops (e.g., exploring in breadth and depth) were examined longitudinally (T1-T3) in a sample of emerging adults (N = 1125, Mage = 17.96 years).

RESULTS

Random-intercept cross-lagged modeling demonstrated that at the between-person level, emerging adults with greater academic and friendship problems, as well as more time pressures (relative to their counterparts), tended to engage in greater ruminative exploration. Further, those with more academic problems tended to demonstrate weaker commitment-making and exploration in breadth and depth (relative to their counterparts). Within-person increases in romantic problems predicted lower commitment-making and higher ruminative exploration over time.

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest that romantic problems may predict within-person changes in identity processes, whereas academic problems, friendship problems, and time pressure may be more concurrently related to identity development.

Academic motivation in adolescents: the role of parental autonomy support, psychological needs satisfaction and self-control

Background

Various perspectives on the existence and degree of motivation, which is a crucial factor influencing human behavior, have been studied for many years. Especially in adolescence, a phase marked by rapid change, motivation plays a crucial role in supporting young people to achieve their goals, fulfill their responsibilities, and experience healthy development.

Aims

The present study aims to investigate the structural relationships among perceived parental autonomy support, satisfaction of psychological needs, self-control, and academic motivation.

Sample

The study was conducted with a total of 427 high school students, including 230 females and 197 males, aged between 14 and 19 (M = 15.82; SD = 1.02).

Method

Participants completed self-report measures of academic motivation, parental autonomy support, psychological needs satisfaction, and self-control. Structural equation modeling was performed to explore complex relationships between variables of interest.

Results

The study revealed that psychological needs satisfaction increased as parental autonomy support increased, and self-control also increased with the satisfaction of psychological needs. It was also found that satisfaction of psychological needs was positively related to both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Additionally, self-control was associated with increased intrinsic motivation and decreased amotivation. In addition, it was found that parental autonomy support has an indirect relationship with academic motivation through the satisfaction of psychological needs and self-control.

Conclusion

It is believed that these connections will lead to a deeper understanding of the significant processes in adolescence and serve as a foundation for developing and implementing psycho-educational interventions related to these variables.

Us, them and we: How national and human identifications influence adolescents' ethnic prejudice

Although there have been numerous studies on the relations between group identification and ethnic prejudice, it is less clear whether their associations reflect stable individual tendencies or rather situational or temporal fluctuations. This longitudinal multilevel study aimed to fill this gap by examining the between- and within-person associations of identification with the national and superordinate human groups and levels of prejudice against multiple ethnic minorities. A total of 883 Italian majority adolescents (Mage = 15.66, SD = 1.15 at T1, 49.7% females) completed questionnaires at four time points over the course of 1 year. Results showed that national identification was related to more prejudice at the between-person level but to decreases in prejudice at the within-person level. Additionally, human identification contributed to lower levels of and steeper decreases in prejudice at both the between- and within-person levels. Common and unique associations also emerged across different ethnic minority targets, but only for between-person effects. Overall, this study highlights the importance of distinguishing stable individual levels and momentary fluctuations of both ingroup identifications and ethnic prejudice in order to orient future interventions aimed at improving the quality of intergroup relationships.

Trajectories of Gender Identity and Depressive Symptoms in Youths

Importance

Concerns about the mental health of youths going through gender identity transitions have received increased attention. There is a need for empirical evidence to understand how transitions in self-reported gender identity are associated with mental health.

Objective

To examine whether and how often youths changed self-reported gender identities in a longitudinal sample of sexual and gender minority (SGM) youths, and whether trajectories of gender identity were associated with depressive symptoms.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study used data from 4 waves (every 9 months) of a longitudinal community-based study collected in 2 large cities in the US (1 in the Northeast and 1 in the Southwest) between November 2011 and June 2015. Eligible participants included youths who self-identified as SGM from community-based agencies and college groups for SGM youths. Data analysis occurred from September 2022 to June 2023.

Exposure

Gender identity trajectories and gender identity variability.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The Beck Depression Inventory for Youth (BDI-Y) assessed depressive symptoms. Gender identity variability was measured as the number of times participants' gender identity changed. Hierarchical linear models investigated gender identity trajectories and whether gender identity variability was associated with depressive symptoms over time.

Results

Among the 366 SGM youths included in the study (mean [SD] age, 18.61 [1.71] years; 181 [49.4%] assigned male at birth and 185 [50.6%] assigned female at birth), 4 gender identity trajectory groups were identified: (1) cisgender across all waves (274 participants ), (2) transgender or gender diverse (TGD) across all waves (32 participants), (3) initially cisgender but TGD by wave 4 (ie, cisgender to TGD [28 participants]), and (4) initially TGD but cisgender by wave 4 (ie, TGD to cisgender [32 participants]). One in 5 youths (18.3%) reported a different gender identity over a period of approximately 3.5 years; 28 youths varied gender identity more than twice. The cisgender to TGD group reported higher levels of depression compared with the cisgender group at baseline (Β = 4.66; SE = 2.10; P = .03), but there was no statistical difference once exposure to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender violence was taken into account (Β = 3.31; SE = 2.36; P = .16). Gender identity variability was not associated with within-person change in depressive symptoms (Β = 0.23; SE = 0.74; P = .75) or the level of depressive symptoms (Β = 2.43; SE = 2.51; P = .33).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that gender identity can evolve among SGM youths across time and that changes in gender identity are not associated with changes in depressive symptoms. Further longitudinal work should explore gender identity variability and adolescent and adult health.

Derailment in adolescence: Factor analytic structure and correlates

Derailment is the sense of being "off-course" in life. But what could this mean for adolescents, who are often establishing identity and self-direction for the first time? We examined the structure and correlates of the Derailment Scale and its short form, the Derailment Scale-6 (DS-6), among middle-to-late adolescents (N = 452). Both scales exhibited unidimensionality, but the DS-6 demonstrated superior fit and correlated with cross-sectional distress markers (e.g., greater depression, lower life satisfaction, strained sense of purpose). Breaking from adult-based research, we failed to find evidence that derailment related to adolescent identity exploration and commitment. In extending assessment of derailment to adolescence, this study invites exploration of this experience during a time characterized by substantial transition and the emergence of stable self-views.

Identifying the top predictors of student well-being across cultures using machine learning and conventional statistics

Alongside academic learning, there is increasing recognition that educational systems must also cater to students' well-being. This study examines the key factors that predict adolescent students' subjective well-being, indexed by life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect. Data from 522,836 secondary school students from 71 countries/regions across eight different cultural contexts were analyzed. Underpinned by Bronfenbrenner's bioecological theory, both machine learning (i.e., light gradient-boosting machine) and conventional statistics (i.e., hierarchical linear modeling) were used to examine the roles of person, process, and context factors. Among the multiple predictors examined, school belonging and sense of meaning emerged as the common predictors of the various well-being dimensions. Different well-being dimensions also had distinct predictors. Life satisfaction was best predicted by a sense of meaning, school belonging, parental support, fear of failure, and GDP per capita. Positive affect was most strongly predicted by resilience, sense of meaning, school belonging, parental support, and GDP per capita. Negative affect was most strongly predicted by fear of failure, gender, being bullied, school belonging, and sense of meaning. There was a remarkable level of cross-cultural similarity in terms of the top predictors of well-being across the globe. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Psychological flexibility and cognitive-affective processes in young adults' daily lives

Psychological flexibility plays a crucial role in how young adults adapt to their evolving cognitive and emotional landscapes. Our study investigated a core aspect of psychological flexibility in young adults: adaptive variability and maladaptive rigidity in the capacity for behavior change. We examined the interplay of these elements with cognitive-affective processes within a dynamic network, uncovering their manifestation in everyday life. Through an Ecological Momentary Assessment design, we collected intensive longitudinal data over 3 weeks from 114 young adults ages 19 to 32. Using a dynamic network approach, we assessed the temporal dynamics and individual variability in flexibility in relation to cognitive-affective processes in this sample. Rigidity exhibited the strongest directed association with other variables in the temporal network as well as highest strength centrality, demonstrating particularly strong associations to other variables in the contemporaneous network. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that rigidity in young adults is associated with negative affect and cognitions at the same time point and the immediate future.

Longitudinal Associations among Identity Processes and Mental Health in Young Adulthood: The Mediating Role of Social Support

Emerging adulthood (ages 18-25) is a period of identity exploration, particularly for young adults navigating the transition to post-secondary school. Little is known about how changes in identity exploration may be related to emerging adults' mental health, or the role of social support plays in identity-related processes. In the present study, associations among identity exploration, internalizing symptoms, and perceived social support were examined. Participants included a diverse group of emerging adults (N = 1,125, Mage = 17.96 years) studying at a Canadian university. Random-intercept cross-lagged modeling demonstrated that within-person increases in exploration in breadth predicted fewer depressive symptoms over time, whereas within-person increases in exploration in depth predicted more depressive and anxious symptoms over time. A mediation effect from perceived support from significant other to depressive symptoms via exploration in breadth was also evident. Findings suggest that identity exploratory processes may be developmentally relevant in emerging adulthood, but their implications for mental health may differ. Perceived social support is also meaningfully related to identity exploration and mental health.

The Longitudinal Associations Between Parental Autonomy Support, Autonomy and Peer Resistance

Adolescents' autonomy is considered to be shaped within family and peer contexts. However, the specific dynamics of the within-person associations between parental autonomy support, adolescents' general autonomy, and peer resistance over time remain unclear. To address this, random-intercept cross-lagged panel models were employed in a sample of 290 Dutch youth in early adolescence (Mage = 11.58, SD = 0.44 at T1; 49.3% boys) and 220 Dutch youth in middle to late adolescence (Mage = 17.79, SD = 1.47 at T1; 25.0% boys), who were followed over two years across four time points. Results showed that changes in adolescents' general autonomy were concurrently associated with changes in their parental autonomy support and peer resistance at the within-person level. However, these associations were not observed longitudinally over a six-month period. These findings suggest that increases in supportive parenting and peer resistance co-occur with increases in adolescents' autonomy within individuals.

Identity Matters for Well-Being: The Longitudinal Associations Between Identity Processes and Well-Being in Adolescents with Different Cultural Backgrounds

Adolescents' identity processes and their levels of well-being are likely to be intertwined. On the one hand, how adolescents cope with the core developmental task of forming their identity has important implications for their well-being. On the other hand, experiencing a condition of well-being can help adolescents consolidate their identity. This longitudinal study adopted a multidimensional and culturally sensitive perspective to unravel how identity processes (i.e., commitment, in-depth exploration, and reconsideration of commitment) in two domains (i.e., educational and interpersonal identity) were developmentally related to multiple indicators of positive well-being (i.e., physical health, subjective, psychological, and social well-being) in adolescents with different cultural backgrounds. Participants were 1396 adolescents (Mage = 15.73, SDage = 1.23, 49.93% females; 20.89% with a migrant background) who completed questionnaires at four-time points across one year. Results of cross-lagged models confirmed the positive reciprocal associations between identity commitment and well-being in all its facets. The nuanced picture of associations of in-depth exploration and reconsideration of commitment with multiple dimensions of well-being highlighted the importance of adopting a multi-dimensional perspective on well-being and a domain-specific approach to identity. Multigroup analyses indicated that the associations between identity commitment in the educational domain and well-being are relevant, especially for adolescents with a migrant background. Overall, this study highlights the centrality of identity processes for adolescents' adaptation and points to a dynamic loop of reciprocal influences at the core of youth positive development.

Racism and violence in policing: Perspectives from a juvenile prison

Following recent events involving racism and violence in policing, the current study sought to understand factors associated with support for related social movements and worries about personal, family, and peer safety. Data were from 78 currently incarcerated young people (M = 16.5 years; 31% Black) and 20 juvenile prison staff (M = 40.3 years; 72% Black) via online surveys. A comparable proportion of young people (47.3%) and staff (47.4%) reported participating in the Black Lives Matter movement. Among young people, prior experiences with police were significantly associated with support for social movements and worries about safety concerning racism and violence in policing. Among staff, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and racial and ethnic identity were significantly associated with social movement support and worries about safety. Civic education and interventions to promote racial and ethnic identity may promote support for systemic change and buffer against worries about racism and violence in policing.

How negative self-views may interfere with building positive relationships: An experimental analogue of identity dysfunction in borderline personality disorder

INTRODUCTION

A disturbed, negative sense of self is associated with various interpersonal difficulties and is characteristic of disorders such as borderline personality disorder (BPD). Negative self-views may affect an individuals' ability to build positive relationships, including a therapeutic relationship. However, it is not yet well understood how identity disturbances give rise to interpersonal difficulties. Using an experimental analogue design, we tested whether identity disturbances are associated with interpersonal difficulties.

METHODS

Participants were university students (N = 43, age M = 20.51 (SD = 3.08), women N = 32 (74.4%)) who reported moderate to high levels of BPD features, with 34.9% reporting significant BPD features as measured by the Borderline scale of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI-BOR). In a within-subject experimental paradigm using a Social Feedback Task, participants received negative, intermediate, and positive evaluations, supposedly from a panel. Using multilevel models, we tested whether negative self-views were associated with how much the participants liked, trusted, and felt close to each of the three panel members who provided either predominantly negative, intermediate, or positive feedback.

RESULTS

People with more negative self-views reported lower mood in response to positive feedback. In addition, where people with more positive self-views felt better when receiving feedback that was congruent with their self-views, people with more negative self-views did not report a better mood. Importantly, people with negative self-views felt lower desire to affiliate with the member who provided predominantly positive feedback. Affiliation was not affected when feedback was given by the negative member and intermediate member to those with negative self-views.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings validated that those with more negative self-views anticipated and expected more negative responses from others. Negative self-views, as relevant for BPD, may explain how people relate differently to those giving different types of feedback. Pervasive negative self-views may interfere with building new relationships including the therapeutic alliance. It may be helpful for clinicians to be aware of the potential challenges around creating a supportive therapeutic relationship for patients with negative self-views. Overly positive affirmations made by clinicians may inadvertently lower the patient's mood and may impede alliance formation.

Editorial: The Relationship Between Internalized Racism and Mental Health Symptoms in Black Adolescents

Since the 1890s, scholars such as W.E.B. DuBois have understood that Black people living under conditions of pervasive White supremacist oppression are subjected to constant assaults on their self-image.1 In the intervening years, Fanon,2 Morrison,3 and many others have described the complex psychological consequences of Black Americans attempting to live and adapt to the dominant culture, which devalues Black lives and Black cultural traditions, and how these devaluing messages reaffirm their inferior status in society. The pioneering doll studies conducted by psychologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark in the 1940s4-in which Black (and White) child participants expressed a preference for White dolls over Black dolls-demonstrated to a broad audience that Black children, by the age of 5 years, understand that being Black is a marker of inferior status. The Clarks' groundbreaking work brought attention to racism's impact on childhood identity development, opening the door for further explorations. The term internalized racism (IR) is widely used today in mental health research to describe how members of racially subordinated groups (eg, Black Americans and people of color) can consciously and unconsciously accept the dominant culture's view of their inferior status and hold associated negative self-evaluations (eg, less beautiful, less intelligent, etc), beginning in the earliest years of life.5.

"We did more than survive": lessons learned from studies of risk and resilience of young people growing up with HIV and mental health needs

Despite advances in HIV-treatment, adolescents and young adults (AYA) with HIV (AYAHIV) face myriad challenges. They are less likely than children and older adults to be virally suppressed and are at higher risk for mental health conditions compared to their peers who do not have HIV. AYA are also developing in the context of numerous biomedical, neurocognitive, and psychosocial developmental changes. Normative challenges during this time can be exacerbated by HIV and can result in significant physical and mental health problems. Yet, many AYAHIV have shown resilience with positive assets and resources and few health or mental health problems. Historically research has had a risk-focused approach to understanding AYAHIV needs. This paper discusses the rationale for a shift from a risk-focused only approach to one that examines AYAHIV needs from both a risk and resilience perspective. This paper presents: (1) epidemiological data on AYAHIV; (2) conceptual models for understanding both risk (e.g., poverty, stress, trauma, limited resources) and resilience/protective factors (e.g., family and peer support, future orientation, problem-solving skills); (3) global data examining risk and protective factors for physical and mental health challenges; and (4) promising interventions that incorporate elements of resilience to improve overall outcomes among AYAHIV.

Self-esteem and self-concept as correlates of life satisfaction and attitudes toward school among Ghanaian girls

During adolescence, youth experience several physical, psychosocial, and cognitive changes. Self-esteem and self-concept are identified as protective factors for adolescents in high-income countries, but studies are limited in sub-Saharan Africa. We examined the associations of self-esteem and self-concept with life satisfaction and attitudes toward school using baseline data from 97 Ghanaian adolescent girls at risk of school dropout. Ordinary Least Squares regression models were fitted to examine the association between self-esteem and self-concept on school attitudes and life satisfaction. Self-esteem was positively associated with life satisfaction. Self-concept was associated with more positive attitudes toward school. Hence, self-esteem and self-concept may be critical protective factors in promoting adolescent girls' life satisfaction and positive attitudes toward school.

Health Care Transitions Among Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer

Survivors of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancers, defined as individuals diagnosed with a primary malignancy between age 15 and 39 years, are a growing population with unique developmental, psychosocial, and health-related needs. These individuals are at excess risk of developing a wide range of chronic comorbidities compared with the general population and, therefore, require lifelong, risk-based, survivorship care to optimize long-term health outcomes. The health care needs of survivors of AYA cancers are particularly complicated given the often heterogeneous and sometimes fragmented care they receive throughout the cancer care continuum. For example, AYA survivors are often treated in disparate settings (pediatric v adult) on dissimilar protocols that include different recommendations for longitudinal follow-up. Specialized tools and techniques are needed to ensure that AYA survivors move seamlessly from acute cancer care to survivorship care and, in many cases, from pediatric to adult clinics while still remaining engaged in long-term follow-up. Systematic, age-appropriate transitional practices involving well-established clinical models of care, survivorship care plans, and survivorship guidelines are needed to facilitate effective transitions between providers. Future studies are necessary to enhance and optimize the clinical effectiveness of transition processes in AYA cancer survivors.

Navigating Across Heritage and Destination Cultures: How Personal Identity and Social Identification Processes Relate to Domain-Specific Acculturation Orientations in Adolescence

Personal identity and social identification processes can be challenging for adolescents belonging to an ethnic minority, who have to cope with the acculturation task of navigating several (and often conflictual) alternatives put forth by their cultural heritage community and destination society. Because identity and acculturation tasks are embedded in core domains of adolescents' life, this three-wave longitudinal study with ethnic minority adolescents (N = 244, 43.4% male; Mage = 14.9) examined how personal identity processes and social identifications are related to acculturation orientations in the education and friendship domains. Results of traditional cross-lagged models showed that, in the educational domain, adolescents who scored higher on cultural heritage maintenance compared to their peers, scored higher on commitment later on. In the friendship domain, stronger associations were found, such that adolescents who scored higher on cultural heritage maintenance compared to their peers, reported higher commitment and in-depth exploration later on, while those who scored higher on identification with friends reported over time also higher cultural heritage maintenance and destination culture adoption. Random-intercept crossed-lagged models indicated that, when adolescents reported above their own average on reconsideration of educational commitment, they reported increased cultural heritage maintenance later on. Furthermore, consistent associations (at baseline and over time) emerged. Overall, this study points to virtuous alliances between the fulfillment of tasks related to adolescents' identity development and acculturation.

Religious Identity and its Relation to Health-Related Quality of Life and COVID-Related Stress of Refugee Children and Adolescents in Germany

Research shows that religious identity is associated with health. The aim of this study was to understand the role of religious identity for refugee minors' health in greater detail. Middle Eastern refugee minors resettled in Germany and aged 8-18 years completed questionnaires at baseline (T1, n = 246) and follow-up (T2, n = 122) measurement between 2019 and 2022. Religious identity was assessed with a 4-item measure (Cronbach's α = .89). Associations of religious identity at T1 with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) at T1, change in HRQoL from T1 to T2, and perceived COVID-related stress at T2, as well as the mediating role of resources were examined. The results showed a positive association between religious identity and HRQoL, which was partially mediated by integration into peer group, but not by ethnic identity, sense of coherence or religious practice. No significant associations between religious identity and change in HRQoL or COVID-related stress occurred. Therefore, cross-sectional analyses support the beneficial role of religious identity for HRQoL and the crucial mediating role of integration into peer group, suggesting the promotion of religious identity or peer group integration. However, the absence of significant effects on change in HRQoL from T1 to T2 and COVID-related stress at T2 do not allow drawing any long-term conclusions.

#DID: The Role of Social Media in the Presentation of Dissociative Symptoms in Adolescents

The recent social media-led and -centered movement encouraging mental health awareness, disclosure, and discussion, primarily among adolescents,1 can have significant benefits, including reducing mental health stigma, providing peer and social support, and disseminating information. Conversely, mental health disclosure online provides a catalyst for spreading misinformation and cyberbullying. It may also present opportunities for monetary and other forms of secondary gain; for example, some TikTok dissociative identity disorder (DID) influencers have vast numbers of followers and include donation links to their Venmo and PayPal accounts. At the time of this writing, TikTok hashtags "#did," "#didsystem," and "#dissociativeidentitydisorder" have amassed hundreds of thousands of views.

Voices of Identity: Exploring Identity Development and Transformation among Urban American Indian/Alaska Native Emerging Adults

Emerging adulthood shapes personal, professional, and overall well-being through identity exploration. This study addresses a gap in the minority identity literature by investigating how urban AI/AN emerging adults think about their identity and discussing challenges and protective factors associated with exploring their identity holistically. This mixed-methods study created a sampling framework based on discrimination experiences, cultural identity, social network support, mental health, and problematic substance use. We recruited 20 urban AI/AN emerging adults for interviews. We sought to gain deeper insights into their experiences and discussions surrounding identity formation and exploration. We provide descriptives for demographic characteristics and conducted a thematic analysis of the qualitative data from the interviews. Four themes emerged: a) being an urban AI/AN emerging adult means recognizing that one's identity is multifaceted; b) a multifaceted identity comes with tension of living in multiple worlds; c) the trajectory of one's identity grows over time to a deeper desire to connect with Native American culture; and d) understanding one's Native American background affects one's professional trajectory. Findings underscore the importance of developing programs to support well-being and identity development through cultural connection for urban AI/AN emerging adults.

COVID-19-related stress exacerbates the effect of child maltreatment on negative affect via increased identity confusion during adolescence

INTRODUCTION

Exposure to childhood maltreatment may undermine the crucial developmental task of identity formation in adolescence, placing them at risk for developing negative affect. The current study investigated whether COVID-19-related stress intensified the indirect link between child maltreatment and adolescents' negative affect through identity confusion.

METHOD

Using multidimensional assessments of child maltreatment (threat vs. deprivation), the study included a sample of 124 adolescents (Mage  = 12.89, SD = 0.79; 52% female) assessed before (January 2018 to March 2020) and during the pandemic (May to October 2020) in Georgia, United States. The majority of the participants were European American (78.8%), followed by African American (11.5%), Hispanic (3.8%), Asian/Pacific Islander (1.0%), and other (4.8%). We used structural equation modeling to test (a) the mediating role of identity confusion in the link between childhood maltreatment and negative affect and (b) whether COVID-19-related stress moderated these indirect effects. Simple slopes and Johnson-Neyman plots were generated to probe regions of significant interaction effects.

RESULTS

Threat and deprivation predicted an increase in adolescent identity confusion. Additionally, childhood threat and deprivation were indirectly linked to adolescents' negative affect through increased levels of identity confusion. COVID-19-related stress significantly exacerbated the link between identity confusion and negative affect.

CONCLUSION

Identity confusion is a mechanism underlying the link between child maltreatment and the development of negative affect in adolescence. Our results inform prevention and intervention programs that aim to reduce negative affect among adolescents who experience threatening and depriving rearing environments.

Who makes a better university adjustment wingman: Parents or friends?

The first year of university is one of the most difficult times in a student's life due to numerous changes that occur. This cross-sectional study explores the concept of parental and peer attachment, which has been researched for its ability to predict students' success in higher education. Yet, less research has investigated the mechanisms underpinning the relationship between attachment and university adjustment among first-year students. Hence, the aim of this study was to examine the impact of parent and peer attachment on first-year university students, and understand how these attachments can facilitate university adjustment through identity exploration. This investigation is underpinned by Bowlby and Ainsworth's attachment theory and Arnett's emerging adulthood theory. Data were collected from 568 first-year students at a public university in Sabah, Malaysia, via adapted questionnaires. Structural equation modelling was employed using SmartPLS Software 3.0 to analyse the data. The study found that identity exploration mediates the relationship between parental trust, peer communication, and university adjustment. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for professionals working with emerging adult clients, especially those in higher education institutions, aiming to enhance the adjustment level among first-year students.

Influences on decision-making about disclosure of HIV status by adolescents and young adults living with HIV in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Background: Adolescents and young adults living with HIV (AYA) are faced with the challenge of living with a life-long chronic condition. We investigated the influences on the decisions by AYA to disclose their HIV status to family, intimate partners and friends.Methods: Twenty AYA aged between 15 and 24 years were purposely selected through local community-based organisations in eThekwini municipality and uMkhanyakude district in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Virtual in-depth interviews were conducted between September 2020 to October 2021 using a topic guide focusing on HIV-status disclosure and the impact of stigma on decision-making capacity. An iterative thematic process was used for analysis.Results: Findings revealed the challenges that AYA experience for disclosure because of stigma and how this impacts their decision-making capacity. Family and friends influenced AYA in processing their discovery of their HIV status offering support needed to manage living with HIV. However, for some AYA disclosing to relatives, friends and intimate partners was difficult because of fears of rejection and recrimination. The act of disclosure was influenced by both internalised and external stigma and the type of relationships and interactions that AYA had with relatives, friends and caregivers.Conclusions: The decision to disclose is challenging for AYA because of the fear of rejection, along with internal and external stigma. The provision of support, whether from family or peers, is important. Enhancing the decision-making capacity of AYA is essential for developing their self-esteem as well as supporting future healthcare choices.

The association between adolescents' self-esteem and perceived mental well-being in Sweden in four years of follow-up

BACKGROUND

The situation concerning adolescent mental health is a global public health concern, and the concept includes the ability to cope with problems of everyday life. A person's approach and attitude towards themselves, i.e., their self-esteem, affects mental health. The study aimed to appraise and deepen the scientific understanding of adolescents' self-reported self-esteem at age 12-13 from a resource perspective and test its ability to predict subsequent perceived mental well-being at age 17.

METHODS

Data from the Longitudinal Research on Development in Adolescence (LoRDIA) prospective follow-up study of adolescents aged 12-13, and 17 (n = 654) were analysed using ANCOVA. The outcome variable, perceived mental well-being (MWB), covers the aspects of mental well-being inspired by the "Mental Health Continuum," representing positive mental health. Covariates were self-esteem (SE) and reported initially perceived MWB at age 12-13. Other independent explanatory variables were gender, the family's economy, and the mother's educational level.

RESULTS

Self-esteem appeared relatively stable from 12-13 to 17 years (M = 20.7 SD = 5.8 vs. M = 20.5 SD = 1.7). There was a significant but inverted U - shaped association between SE at age 12-13 and perceived MWB at age 17 [F (1, 646) = 19.02, β-0.057; CI -0.08--0.03, Eta = 0.03, p = .000]. Intermediate but not strong SE predicted significantly good MWB. When conducting the ANCOVA for boys and girls separately, only the mother's educational level was significantly positively associated with perceived MWB of girls.

CONCLUSIONS

Good self-esteem in early adolescence increases the likelihood of an unchanged favourable development of self-esteem and the probability of good perceived mental well-being. SE explained 18 per cent of the variation of MWB, and even more among girls. However, normal SE rather than high SE at 12 and 13 years is predictive of later mental well-being. Girls reported low self-esteem more often. Therefore, supporting self-esteem early in life can promote mental well-being in adolescence.

Adolescents' Identity Development Predicts the Transition and the Adjustment to Tertiary Education or Work

Although identity development is crucial in individuals' psychological adjustment from adolescence to adulthood, little is known about its impact in the transition to tertiary education or work. This study examined whether identity development during high school predicts career choices and adjustment (i.e., engagement) and maladjustment (i.e., burnout) after graduation. A total of 357 Japanese adolescents participated throughout the 3-year period of vocational high school (Mage = 15.75; 62.75% girls). A follow-up assessment, at 18 months after the school-to-tertiary education or school-to-work transitions, was conducted. Higher identity synthesis during high school years predicted entry into tertiary education, while higher identity confusion predicted transition to work. Furthermore, higher identity synthesis during the high school years predicted higher post-graduation academic engagement, and higher levels of identity confusion predicted higher levels of post-graduation academic or work burnout. Overall, this study contributes to the understanding of the role of identity development in adolescence as a valuable asset for predicting the transition and the adjustment to tertiary education or work.

Developmental Changes in the Relation between Youth Disclosure and Parenting Behavior: A Cohort-sequential Analysis

To address a gap in the literature regarding the development of youth disclosure across the transition to adolescence, the current research uses a cohort-sequential approach to study youth disclosure from middle childhood through adolescence. Longitudinal data from three cohorts of parents were utilized (N = 1359; children at T1 were in grades 2 [M = 8.00 years, SD = 0.57 years, 45% female], 4 [M = 10.12 years, SD = 0.60 years, 45% female], and 9 [M = 15.19 years, SD = 0.57 years, 48% female]). Parents were assessed annually over a 3-year time period. The focal analyses explored contemporaneous associations between characteristics of the parent-youth relationship (specifically, parental rejection and parental consistent discipline) and youth disclosure after accounting for person-specific trajectories of disclosure. Associations of gender, age, and socioeconomic status with disclosure were also assessed. Regarding trajectories of youth disclosure, results indicate that youth disclose less information to their parents about their daily lives as they get older; this trend was consistent across gender and socioeconomic status. In terms of associations with youth disclosure, when parents provided more consistent discipline or engaged in less rejection of their child, youth disclosure increased, even after accounting for their own trajectory of disclosure across time. In addition, the association of consistent discipline with youth disclosure became stronger with increased youth age. Results are discussed in terms of implications for understanding youth autonomy development, and the dyadic and developmental impact of parenting behaviors over time.

Negative parenting, epigenetic age, and psychological problems: prospective associations from adolescence to young adulthood

BACKGROUND

Epigenetic clocks are based on DNA methylation levels of several genomic loci and have been developed as indices of biological aging. Studies examining the effects of stressful environmental exposures have shown that stress is associated with differences between epigenetic age and chronological age (i.e., Epigenetic Age acceleration, EA). This pre-registered longitudinal study examined the long-term effects of negative parenting and psychological problems throughout adolescence (ages 13-17 years) on EA in late adolescence (age 17 years) and EA changes from late adolescence to young adulthood (age 25 years). Further, it examined how (change in) EA is related to changes in psychological problems from adolescence to young adulthood.

METHODS

We used data from a sample of 434 participants followed from age 13 to age 25, with saliva collected at ages 17 and 25. We estimated EA using four commonly used epigenetic clocks and analyzed the data using Structural Equation Modeling.

RESULTS

While negative parenting was not related to EA nor change in EA, (change in) EA was related to developmental indices such as externalizing problems and self-concept clarity.

CONCLUSIONS

Declining psychological well-being during young adulthood was preceded by EA.

I was, I am, I will be: Identity and time perspective before and during COVID-19

The ways in which youth reach a stable identity, a core developmental task of emerging adulthood, are intertwined with their perceptions of the past, present, and future. Additionally, these dynamics are embedded in and are strongly influenced by the socio-historical context and concurrent events, such as COVID-19. This study examines how different groups of emerging adults (university students and workers) engage in identity processes in educational/vocational and interpersonal domains and frame their perspective of time before (N = 299, Mage  = 21.90; 51.4% females) and during the pandemic (N = 497; Mage  = 23.11; 68.2% females). Significant differences in identity processes and time perspective emerged between the two cohorts. Moreover, significant associations between identity and time perspective were found to be similar across different identity domains and cohorts.

Fluidity in Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Identity in Transgender and Nonbinary Youth

Changes in sexual orientation identity (SOI) and gender identity (GI) have rarely been studied in transgender and/or nonbinary youth (TNBY), but documenting such changes is important for understanding identity development and gender transition and supporting the needs of TNBY. This study examined the frequency and patterning of changes in GI and SOI across 3 months (T1-T2) and 1.5 years (T1-T4) among 183 TNBY (baseline age 14-17 years; 83.6% White, 16.9% Hispanic/Latinx) who participated in a longitudinal US study. Participants completed online surveys including measures of GI and SOI. The most common gender identity selected at T1 (with or without another gender identity) was nonbinary (56.3%), and more than half (57.4%) of youth identified with a plurisexual identity (e.g., bisexual, pansexual). GI fluidity from T1-T2 was 13.2% and from T1-T4 was 28.9%. It was equally common to move toward a nonbinary gender identity as toward a binary gender identity. SOI fluidity was more common (30.6% from T1-T2; 55.8% from T1-T4) than GI fluidity. Shifts toward plurisexual identities were more common than shifts toward monosexual identities (e.g., straight, gay). Findings highlight the need to assess changes in GI and SOI in research and clinical practice to address the unique needs of TNBY accurately and effectively.

A neurocognitive model of early onset persistent and desistant antisocial behavior in early adulthood

It remains unclear which functional and neurobiological mechanisms are associated with persistent and desistant antisocial behavior in early adulthood. We reviewed the empirical literature and propose a neurocognitive social information processing model for early onset persistent and desistant antisocial behavior in early adulthood, focusing on how young adults evaluate, act upon, monitor, and learn about their goals and self traits. Based on the reviewed literature, we propose that persistent antisocial behavior is characterized by domain-general impairments in self-relevant and goal-related information processing, regulation, and learning, which is accompanied by altered activity in fronto-limbic brain areas. We propose that desistant antisocial development is associated with more effortful information processing, regulation and learning, that possibly balances self-relevant goals and specific situational characteristics. The proposed framework advances insights by considering individual differences such as psychopathic personality traits, and specific emotional characteristics (e.g., valence of social cues), to further illuminate functional and neural mechanisms underlying heterogenous developmental pathways. Finally, we address important open questions and offer suggestions for future research to improve scientific knowledge on general and context-specific expression and development of antisocial behavior in early adulthood.

A validation of the Swedish self-concept and Identity Measure (SCIM) and its association with mental health problems

Pathological disturbance to one's identity is closely linked with mental illness and in particular personality disorders. Current measures of identity pathology within clinical research are nevertheless inconsistently used and present with substantial limitations such as disproportionate focus on adolescence. The Self-Concept and Identity Measure (SCIM) identifies pathological and non-pathological identity disturbance by implementing a measurement for clinical components of identity, as well as introducing the Lack of Identity concept. This study thus explores the psychometric properties (factor structure, internal consistency, and criterion validity) of the Swedish SCIM in a large sample of Swedish university students (N = 1500). Model fit indices for the three-dimension model of identity pathology consisting of consolidated-, disturbed-, and lack of identity subscales were deemed acceptable and the Swedish SCIM scores correlated with measures of psychopathology in the expected direction, together concluding that the Swedish SCIM was satisfactorily valid and reliable. The results further reveal a significant positive correlation between identity pathology and non-suicidal self-injury, two concepts that co-occur in psychopathologies, such as borderline personality disorder, but have not yet been studied in a Western population with this tool. The potential clinical use of this translated dimensional tool needs to be tested in a Swedish clinical population, however, we conclude that it already offers insight into the complexities of identity functioning and correlations with clinical symptoms.

Longitudinal Relations among Identity Distinctiveness, Continuity, and Integration among Dutch Adolescents

Identity distinctiveness, continuity, and coherence are all components of adolescents' identity development, but their longitudinal relations have rarely been examined. Data were analyzed on these three constructs collected over three years from 349 Dutch adolescents (M_age = 14.7, SD_age = 0.7, 215 [61.6%] girls and 133 [38.1%] boys). A cross-lagged panel model of the three constructs showed that stability was relatively high for distinctiveness and continuity, whereas coherence was less stable. Distinctiveness and continuity were correlated positively within time, but cross-lagged associations were mostly not significant: Only distinctiveness and coherence negatively predicted each other across waves. Results suggest that distinctiveness, continuity, and coherence may be interrelated, but may not drive the development of each other.

Identity development and online and offline prosocial behaviors among early and middle adolescents

Research has demonstrated that adolescents of the digital age engage in developmental tasks by interacting with others in both online and offline environments. However, no studies have investigated how adolescents develop their identity, a crucial developmental task, by engaging in online and offline prosocial behaviors. To address this research gap, we examined the role of online and offline prosocial behavior in identity development during adolescence using variable- and person-centered approaches. The participants were 608 individuals in early adolescence (50.2% girls; age range = 12-13 years, M_age = 12.75 years, SD = 0.43) and 594 individuals in middle adolescence (50.3% girls; age range = 15-16 years, M_age = 15.79 years, SD = 0.41) in Japan. They completed questionnaires to measure identity development, online and offline prosocial behavior, and demographic characteristics. The results from the variable-centered approach (i.e., identity dimensions) revealed that both online and offline prosocial behaviors were positively related to commitments and proactive explorations in early and middle adolescence. The findings from the person-centered approach (i.e., identity statuses) demonstrated that early and middle adolescents with higher levels of online prosocial behavior were more likely to show searching moratorium than all other identity statuses, whereas those with higher levels of offline prosocial behavior were more likely to show achievement than troubled diffusion, carefree diffusion, and undifferentiated. Consistent with both variable- and person-centered approaches, these findings highlight that online prosocial behavior can be a new resource for identity development in adolescence. Moreover, the results suggest that online prosocial behaviors lead to identity status in the process of maturing identity and that offline prosocial behavior is necessary to become more mature identity status. Regarding practical implications, educating adolescents on digital media literacy, including supportive behavior in online environments, is crucial to gradually exploring their identity. In addition, for adolescents to develop more mature identity, adults should create in-person environments in which they participate in offline prosocial behavior. The limitations of our findings with respect to the online and offline prosocial behavior scale items are discussed.

A test of the 2 × 2 Model of Perfectionistic Pressure in youth sport

Perfectionistic pressure from coaches and parents is likely to contribute to the development of perfectionism in youth athletes. However, if and how perfectionistic pressure from coaches and parents interact to predict the development of perfectionism is unknown. With this in mind, the present study tested a new model - the 2 × 2 Model of Perfectionistic Pressure - that focuses on the different combinations of perfectionistic pressure youth athletes can experience. Four within-person combinations of perfectionistic pressure are identified and compared: Pure coach pressure (high coach pressure/low parental pressure), pure parental pressure (low coach pressure/high parental pressure), mixed pressure (high coach pressure/high parental pressure), and low pressure (low coach pressure/low parental pressure). To test the model, a sample of 210 youth athletes (M age = 14.68 years) completed measures of perfectionistic strivings, perfectionistic concerns, coach pressure to be perfect, and parental pressure to be perfect. Moderated hierarchical regression and simple slopes analyses revealed that mixed pressure was related to the highest levels of both perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns. The findings provide initial evidence for the new model and suggests it will be useful in studying the development of perfectionism and other outcomes in sport.

Recall bias of students' affective experiences in adolescence: The role of personality and internalizing behavior

INTRODUCTION

Adolescence is characterized by multiple biopsychosocial changes, associated with a high intraindividual variability of emotional experiences. Previous findings suggest that this intraindividual variability is reflected in a recall bias of adolescents' emotion reports. However, corresponding findings are scarce and inconclusive. Studies on predictors of recall bias in adulthood indicate that personality traits, especially neuroticism and extraversion, as well as specific internalizing disorders might affect recall bias of emotion reports.

METHODS

The sample consists of 118 Swiss adolescent students in grade 8 and 9 (M_age  = 15.15, SD_age  = 0.89). The students' momentary affective experience was recorded using smartphones over seven consecutive days in situ at 42 randomly generated occasions (six per day), with a total of 1059 protocols on current events. At the end of the experience-sampling phase, students filled out an online questionnaire, providing information about their personality and typical behavior as well as their retrospective affective experience. In addition, the students' behavior was evaluated by their teachers. We applied two-level structural equation modeling with latent difference variables.

RESULTS

Adolescents high in extraversion showed retrospective overestimation of positive affective experiences and underestimation of negative affective experiences. Adolescents with high neuroticism tended to overestimate negative affect retrospectively, showing no significant effects for positive affect. However, internalizing behavior did not predict a negative recall bias in adolescents' affective experience.

CONCLUSIONS

Retrospective self-reports about adolescents' affective experience are biased by relatively stable individual factors, whereas less stable individual factors did not seem to have any influence.

Examining Secondary School Choice Processes as a Predictor of Adjustment After the School Transition

The secondary school transition is an important moment in adolescents' lives. Taking a prospective approach, the present study examined whether educational identity regarding a secondary school choice and own and parental expectations during the last year of primary school predicted post-transition school and psychological adjustment in Dutch adolescents (N = 314, M_age  = 11.58). Additionally, the study qualitatively examined the reasons adolescents gave for their school choice, and linked these reasons to exploration behavior and post-transition adjustment. Identity processes and expectations predicted adjustment. Adolescents mostly reported multiple reasons for their school choice, with educational, practical, and social aspects of secondary schools appearing most important. The number of reasons mentioned was associated with pre-transition exploration behavior.

Development in uncertain contexts: An ecologically informed approach to understanding decision-making during adolescence

Adolescence is a period of development in which youth have new opportunities for decision-making, often in situations where they may have little information or experience to guide their choices. Thus, learning to make decisions under uncertainty is a key challenge during adolescence. To date, researchers have applied economics formalisms to understand the processes that support adolescents in making decisions under two distinct forms of uncertainty: economic risk and economic ambiguity. Economic risk is when the probabilities of outcomes are known. Economic ambiguity is when the probabilities of outcomes are unknown or unknowable. This research has led to foundational knowledge about the basic processes involved in adolescent decision-making, but many experimental paradigms that dissociate economic risk and ambiguity rely on monetary or point-based choices. Given that adolescence is a period of development characterized by a changing social environment, it remains unclear whether the processes that adolescents engage during decision-making on monetary or point-based experimental tasks generalize to their day-to-day experiences in the real world. In this brief piece, we explore how developmental research applying economics formalisms can be bolstered by research on youth's social environments to advance our understanding of decision-making in adolescence. First, we review developmental research by using economic uncertainty paradigms. Next, we highlight research on adolescents' social environments to provide examples of the day-to-day choices that adolescents face among their peers and in their broader communities. Finally, we propose directions for future research integrating these separate approaches to create a more nuanced, ecologically informed understanding of adolescent decision-making.

Searching for secrets, searching for self: Childhood adversity, self-concept clarity, and the motivation to uncover family secrets through direct-to-consumer genetic testing

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic tests have become an attractive product for those hoping to gain insight into their health, ancestry, and biological relatedness. In some cases, test results are unexpected, and lead to the revelation of previously undisclosed family secrets. A subset of individuals may pursue testing explicitly for this purpose; however, the psychosocial processes underlying this motivation remain unexamined. Grounded in the literature on family secrecy, trauma, and the development of self-concept, we tested a hypothesized mediation model to provide insight into this motivation among a sample of 433 individuals in pursuit of DTC genetic testing. In line with the documented association between maladaptive family communication patterns and trauma exposure in childhood, we found that exposure to adverse childhood experiences was associated with the motivation to pursue DTC genetic testing for the purpose of uncovering family secrets. We also found evidence of an indirect effect through reduced self-concept clarity. These findings suggest that impaired identity formation processes may have played a role in transmitting the effect. Furthermore, the findings highlight a novel way in which family histories may contribute to DTC genetic testing motivations. Future examination of these and other psychosocial phenomena that contribute to DTC genetic testing will be crucial to consider as the tests become increasingly accessible, and as the information they can provide becomes increasingly comprehensive. Findings from this line of research could help to identify for whom and under what conditions DTC genetic testing benefits well-being, and the conditions under which the act of testing and receipt of results could have adverse psychosocial effects. These insights will be of interest to genetic counselors working in the field of DTC genetic testing, and those working with individuals and families affected by unexpected test results.

Developmental trajectories of ethnic and national identities in adolescents from migrant families: The role of social identification with family and classmates

Given that adolescents from migrant families live within at least two cultural contexts (i.e., the heritage and the destination cultures), they generally must negotiate and construct ethnic and national identities. Accordingly, the present three-wave longitudinal study was designed to identify distinct developmental trajectories of ethnic and national identities among adolescents from migrant families ( n = 244, 56.6% female; Mage = 14.90, SDage = 0.84 at Time 1). Multivariate latent class growth analyses indicated that participants could be classified into one of four groups based on their identity profiles: ethnic-oriented identity, national-oriented identity, dual identity, and marginalized identity. Further, social identification with family and classmates was examined as a predictor of memberships in these distinct identity profiles. Results of multinomial logistic regression analysis indicated that greater social identification with family increased the probability of being classified into the ethnic-oriented and dual identity profiles rather than into the marginalized identity profile, whereas greater social identification with classmates increased the likelihood of being classified into either national-oriented or dual identity profiles rather than into the marginalized identity profile. These findings provide novel insights into the roles of families and peers as influential socializing agents during the negotiation of ethnic and national identities among immigrant youth.

Experiencing the COVID-19 Emergency: Age-Related Disequilibrating Event for Identity

The experience linked to the COVID-19 emergency constituted a turning point in the biography of most Italians. The suspension of usual activities, the redefinition of life contexts and the restriction of relationships have opened up wide spaces and time for thinking and reflecting on oneself, which may have triggered processes of redefinition of personal identity. The general aim of this study was to explore the impact of pandemic on daily life in the life span, in order to support the hypothesis that the pandemic experience could be considered a disequilibrating life-event and a turning point in the biography of most Italians. A mixed research approach was adopted, with 14 closed and open questions created ad hoc. 41 participants (87% women, average age 40.71), resident in the Campania region, in southern Italy, responded to the online written interview. The data were analyzed by two independent coders, using categorical content analysis with a top-down approach. Membership of the different age groups (young adults, adults, elderly) was assessed as a comparison variable. Findings qualify pandemic-related experiences as a disequilibrating life event, potentially capable of activating, alongside emotionally dense experiences, adaptive and functional resources for identity reconsideration, with differences being age based. The dimensions of change, the affective dimensions, the resources and the areas of risk identified, allowed us to identify three different clusters, showing a differentiation according to age groups, which identifies young adults and the elderly as the subjects most at risk.

Mediterranean Diet Adherence, Body Mass Index and Emotional Intelligence in Primary Education Students-An Explanatory Model as a Function of Weekly Physical Activity

Adolescence is a key developmental period from a health, physical and psychological perspective. In view of this, the present research aimed to establish the relationship between emotional intelligence, Mediterranean diet adherence, BMI and age. In order to address this aim, (a) an explanatory model is developed of emotional intelligence and its relationship with Mediterranean diet adherence, BMI and age, and (b) the proposed structural model is examined via multi-group analysis as a function of whether students engage in more than three hours of physical activity a week. To this end, a quantitative, non-experimental (ex post facto), comparative and cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 567 students (11.10 ± 1.24). The instruments used were an ad hoc questionnaire, the KIDMED questionnaire and the TMMS-24. Outcomes reveal that participants who engage in more than three hours of physical activity a week score more highly for emotional intelligence than those who do not meet this criterion. Furthermore, it was also observed that, whilst the majority of the sample was physically active, improvement was required with regards to Mediterranean diet adherence.

Psychometric Qualities of the Educational Identity Processes Scale (EIPS)

In the educational domain, the development of identity becomes especially salient during school transition phases. To assess the specific identity processes that match the adolescents' experiences before and after the school transition, the Educational Identity Processes Scale (EIPS) was developed. The present study aimed to test the psychometric qualities of the EIPS by examining its factor structure, the internal and convergent validity of the identity dimensions, and whether the questionnaire was measurement invariant over time. The pre-transition version was tested in a Dutch sample (N = 242 early adolescents) and the post-transition version was tested in a Lithuanian sample (N = 1,268 mid-adolescents). Findings indicated good psychometric qualities for both the pre- and post-transition versions of the EIPS. Additionally, context dependencies were observed, as distance to the transition influenced the meaning of specific identity processes and determined whether specific processes could be considered as part of normative development.