Journal of Adolescent Research recent issues

From "Rebel" to "Returnee": Daily Life and Reintegration for Young Soldiers in Northern Uganda

Annan, J., Brier, M., Aryemo, F. — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:11:02 PDT

In war’s aftermath, many young soldiers attempt to reintegrate and reestablish their lives. Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) programs are a priority intervention for youth in postconflict countries; yet there is little evidence to suggest what aids reintegration. This research uses qualitative methodology to describe the issues salient to adolescents and young adults in daily life after returning from a rebel group in northern Uganda. It explores the process of reintegration with 23 male youth abducted by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and draws on a representative quantitative survey of 741 abducted and nonabducted youth in the region. Participants described returning home, their reception by families and neighbors, feelings after returning, and how they negotiated the transition from being a "rebel" to a "formerly abducted child’ and a member of their family and community.

Adolescent Hopefulness in Tanzania: Street Youth, Former Street Youth, and School Youth

Nalkur, P. G. — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:11:02 PDT

This study compares hope in street youth, former street youth, and school youth (aged 12-18) in Tanzania. Responding to Snyder’s hope theory, the author argues that not only personal agency but also the stability of living context (street, shelter, home) shapes hopefulness. Employing qualitative and quantitative analyses, the author presents a framework that shows considerable differences by youth group in hope conceptualizations. Youth in unstable environments avoid hope to circumvent failure and instead attribute success to luck and other external factors, whereas youth in steadier environments rely on internal resources, seeing themselves as critical agents in engendering hopefulness. Taking youths’ differing living contexts into account, the author proposes a contextual model of hope that consists of "hope instruments," "hope outcomes," and "pathways to hopefulness."

Giving Up Something Good for Something Better: Sacred Sacrifices Made by Religious Youth

Dollahite, D. C., Layton, E., Bahr, H. M., Walker, A. B., Thatcher, J. Y. — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:11:02 PDT

The concept of sacrifice was formerly a key variable in theorizing about religion and society. Secularization theory and conceptual models equating sacrifice with cost have reduced its usage and apparent relevance, although it continues to be of interest in anthropology and religious studies. Research on sacrifice has been neglected in the social sciences, especially in studies of religiosity and families. Seventy-seven religious adolescents in 55 religious Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Mormon families in New England and northern California were interviewed about whether they felt they had been asked to make sacrifices for their faith as they were growing up. This article discusses how contemporary religious youth view the sacrifices they make for religious reasons. Adolescents reported sacrifices in five domains: societal expectations, popular culture, comforts and pleasures, time and activities, and peer relations. Youth gave the following reasons for being willing to make sacrifices: connecting to a higher meaning or purpose, connecting to God, connecting to the faith tradition or community, fulfilling expectations, feeling affective benefits, and avoiding problems.

Transferring Post-Secondary Schools: Student Perceptions, Rationales, and Experiences

Gallander Wintre, M., Morgan, A. S. — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:11:02 PDT

The present study is an empirical investigation of the experience of students transferring from one post-secondary institution to another. Positioned within several theories, most notably emerging adulthood theory, the findings imply that transferring schools represents a positive growth experience for the student who recognizes an inappropriate match with the first institution attended. In telephone interviews, students who had transferred to a large, ethnically diverse, commuter university were asked about their perceived adjustment pre- and post-transfer, their perceived control over the transfer decision, and their transfer experiences. The results indicate that transfer students are engaging in a mature decision-making process. Transfer students perceived a better fit and improved adjustment at their new university, suggesting that transferring institutions was a beneficial decision.

Feminist Identity Among Latina Adolescents

Manago, A. M., Spears Brown, C., Leaper, C. — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:11:02 PDT

This study explores developing conceptions of feminism among Latina adolescents, their prevalence of feminist endorsement, and whether home environment and well-being are related to feminist identity. One hundred and forty Latina girls (Grades 9 to 12, M age = 15) wrote personal narratives of their understanding of feminism and whether they consider themselves feminists. The major themes that emerged in girls’ conceptions were notions of feminism either as equality, as femininity, as female empowerment, as bias, or as sexism. Results show older adolescents are more likely to define feminism with regard to group-based status differences and that opposition to female superiority is a common reason for rejecting feminism. Endorsement of an egalitarian-based definition of feminism was correlated with higher body image but was unrelated to self-esteem or parent education.

Book Review: Berry, J. W., Phinney, J. S., Vedder, P., & Sam, D. L. (Eds.). (2006). Immigrant Youth in Cultural Transition: Acculturation, Identity, and Adaptation Across National Contexts. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum

de Dios, A. — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:11:03 PDT

Expectations for Parental Management of Dating in an Ethnically Diverse Sample of Early Adolescents

Mounts, N. S., Kim, H.-S. — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:37:52 PDT

This investigation examined mothers’ beliefs about important dating partner characteristics and expectations regarding management of dating in an ethnically diverse sample of 76 early adolescents and their mothers. Open-ended and structured questions were used to identify a range of dating partner characteristics which were important to mothers and a range of dating-management practices expected to be used by the mothers. Adolescents also reported their expectations of the mothers’ management of dating. There were significant differences in mothers’ and adolescents’ reports of expectations of management of dating. Analyses revealed some ethnic differences and few gender differences in important characteristics of dating partners as well as expectations regarding management of dating.

The Perception of Similarities and Differences Among Adolescent Siblings: Identification and Deidentification of Twins and Nontwins

Watzlawik, M. — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:37:52 PDT

During adolescence, identity development reaches its crucial point. Siblings foster the search for their own uniqueness through social comparisons. These comparisons can lead to identification ("I am like you." or "We are special.") as well as deidentification ("I am different from you!"). In this study, 204 siblings were interviewed to determine in which aspects/traits twins and nontwins perceive similarities and differences between them and their siblings. The number of similarities and differences mentioned was also examined as well as the frequency with which upward, downward, and neutral comparisons are used. It was assumed that monozygotic twins in particular differ from other twins (dizygotic twins of the same and opposite sex) and nontwins (siblings with a maximum age difference of 24 months) due to different developmental conditions. For all siblings, results show that the areas in which similarities and differences are perceived differ. Similarities are mainly perceived in interests and shared abilities/activities, whereas differences are mainly described with the help of character traits, looks, and athletic abilities. Monozygotic twins perceive fewer differences between them than do the other groups but do not perceive more similarities. Twins and nontwins do not differ in the frequency with which upward, downward, and neutral comparisons are used. Implications of these results are being critically discussed.

Adolescent Peer Relationships and Emerging Adult Romantic Styles: A Longitudinal Study of Youth in an Italian Community

Dhariwal, A., Connolly, J., Paciello, M., Caprara, G. V. — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:37:52 PDT

This study extends understanding of romantic development in the emerging adult years by using an 8-year longitudinal design in Italy. Peer groups at age 13, interpersonal functioning and emotion regulation at age 17, and romantic styles at age 21 were measured in 388 youth. Early peer groups were shown to be indirectly associated with two romantic outcomes: a consolidated style and an exploratory style. As mediators, interpersonal functioning was integral to both longitudinal trajectories, while emotion regulation was unique to the exploratory one. Results provide empirical support for the heterogeneous nature and paths of developing romantic relationships in emerging adulthood and the lasting effects of early peer groups on romantic development beyond adolescence. Results are discussed in consideration of Italian culture.

"God Made Me Gay for a Reason": Young Men Who Have Sex With Men's Resiliency in Resolving Internalized Homophobia From Religious Sources

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:37:52 PDT

Research investigating the role of religion in the lives of young men who have sex with men (YMSM) is limited. Given the unique developmental stage of emerging adults and the fact that most religions have restrictions on homosexual behavior, it is important to understand how YMSM integrate their sexual and religious/spiritual identities. Drawing upon a longitudinal, mixed methods study, we explore the role of religion and spirituality in the lives of a sample of YMSM. Presented are descriptions of messages about homosexuality from religious contexts and how these messages are internalized. The process used to resolve the conflict between these messages and their sexual identity is then described. Findings discuss how to help YMSM retain the more supportive and nurturing aspects of religion to integrate their sexual and religious identities for a functional support system.

Book Review: Herzog, D. B., Franko, D. L., & Cable, P. (2007). Unlocking the Mysteries of Eating Disorders. New York: McGraw-Hill

Pause, C. J. — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:37:52 PDT

Sex Objects, Athletes, and Sexy Athletes: How Media Representations of Women Athletes Can Impact Adolescent Girls and College Women

Daniels, E. A. — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:01:46 PDT

In contrast to the large body of research examining the negative effects of idealized media images on girls' and women's body image, little research has investigated whether media images can positively impact body concept among females. Using a between-participants experimental design, this study examined how images of performance athletes, sexualized athletes, sexualized models, and nonsexualized models impacted adolescent girls' and college women's tendency to self-objectify. Participants were 350 adolescent girls and 225 college women who completed a measure of body objectification after viewing photographs. As expected, performance athlete images prompted less self-objectification, suggesting the need for more of this imagery in mainstream media.

The Role of Purposeful Work Goals in Promoting Meaning in Life and in Schoolwork During Adolescence

Yeager, D. S., Bundick, M. J. — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:01:46 PDT

What type of work goals provide adolescents with the sense that schoolwork is important and that their lives are meaningful? This mixed-methods study of a diverse sample of 6th-, 9th-, and 12th-grade adolescents (N = 148) investigated the relationship between work goals, purpose, and meaning using a semistructured interview and a survey. Interview analyses showed that multiple motives were normative (68%), and that 30% of adolescents aspired to an occupation that would allow them to contribute to the world beyond themselves. Regression analyses found that adolescents with purposeful work goals also reported more meaning in life and in schoolwork than those who did not.

Reentry of Emerging Adults: Adolescent Inmates' Transition Back Into the Community

Inderbitzin, M. — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:01:46 PDT

This article is based on the sociological analysis of the experiences and perspectives of five young men making the transition out of one state's end-of-the-line maximum security juvenile correctional facility and attempting to reenter the community as emerging adults. As part of a larger ethnographic study of violent offenders in a cottage, these young men shared their observations as they faced their futures with both fear and hope. Upon their release from the institution, they found few people or services to rely on, and they struggled the best way they knew to cope with new and frightening responsibilities of independence and emerging adulthood.

Forging the Future Between Two Different Worlds: Recent Chinese Immigrant Adolescents Tell Their Cross-Cultural Experiences

Jun Li, — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:01:46 PDT

In order to understand the interplay of culture and mind in immigrant adolescent learning and psychological adjustment, this multiple-case qualitative study examined salient home and school experiences told by recent Chinese immigrant youth in semistructured interviews and narrative essays. Forging the future between two different worlds defined, respectively, by Chinese tradition and Canadian culture, these adolescents struggled with high parental expectations and intergenerational conflicts at home and suffered acculturative stresses and ethnic peer divides at school. Situating the voices of the immigrant adolescents in the personal, relational, and larger sociocultural contexts, the study suggests that their ongoing psychological adjustment and transformation at the crossroad of two different cultures must be understood in light of the emerging, interdependent individual and social processes.

Young People's Sexual Risk Behaviors in Nigeria

Abdulraheem, I.S., Fawole, O.I. — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:01:46 PDT

The prevalence and correlates of HIV-related risk behaviors among adolescents and youths in Nigeria are poorly documented. This study aims at determining the prevalence and correlates of HIV-related risk behaviors among adolescents and youths in order to plan appropriate intervention measures. This is a descriptive cross-sectional survey using structured questionnaire and focus group discussion to collect relevant information. Most (74.6%) respondents were sexually active, of which 66.4% had multiple partners and only 38.1% used condoms always during sexual intercourse. "Decreased pleasure" (35.8%) was the main reason for not always using condoms. Positive attitude toward condom use was correlated with consistent use. In view of the magnitude of high-risk HIV-related behaviors, efforts need to be exerted to deal with the identified predisposing factors.

What Does It Take to Be an Adult in Austria?: Views of Adulthood in Austrian Adolescents, Emerging Adults, and Adults

Sirsch, U., Dreher, E., Mayr, E., Willinger, U. — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 11:47:23 PDT

The present study examined the defining features of emerging adulthood, subjects' conceptions of the transition to adulthood, and the perceived adult status in Austria. The sample consisted of 775 subjects (226 adolescents, 317 emerging adults, 232 adults). Results showed that most Austrian emerging adults feel themselves to be between adolescence and adulthood. Emerging adults predominantly described this period as an age of possibilities and identity exploration, as a self-focused age, as an age of feeling in between, and of instability. Regarding important criteria for feeling adult, it was found that age groups (adolescents, emerging adults, adults) differ in individualism, family capacities, norm compliance, role transitions, and other. Thus, as was shown for other Western cultures, emerging adulthood seemed to constitute a distinct stage of life in Austria also.

Examining Emerging-Adults' and Parents' Expectations about Autonomy During the Transition to College

Baete Kenyon, D., Silverberg Koerner, S. — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 11:47:23 PDT

Our research goals were to document levels and examine the potential discrepancies of emerging-adults' and parents' expectations for autonomous behavior during the transition to college. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 204 incoming college freshmen (n = 150 females, n = 54 males) and 226 parents (n = 173 mothers, n = 53 fathers) before the transition to college. Questions based on the emotional and functional items on the Psychological Separation Inventory (Hoffman, 1984) measured college students' and parents' autonomy expectations. Qualitative and quantitative analyses revealed (a) discrepancies on autonomy expectations between parents and college students do occur, (b) parents sometimes hold higher expectations for autonomy than their emerging-adult children, and (c) discrepancies on autonomy expectations occur across a variety of topics. Interventions could facilitate communication between emerging adults and parents to prevent possible discrepancies about autonomy expectancies.

Making the Most of Adolescence: Harnessing the Search for Identity to Understand Classroom Belonging

Faircloth, B. S. — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 11:47:23 PDT

This qualitative study investigated the relationship between adolescents' sense of school belonging and opportunities to integrate aspects of their identity with their 9th-grade English assignments. The study provided evidence of a positive relationship between these two experiences for an ethnically diverse group of students. Moreover, issues of identity (connections made with issues that were important to the self, connections with their background, and the ability to make themselves known) contributed significantly to belonging. Students' sense of connection and engagement in their classroom was supported while they participated in activities designed to encourage curricular connections with their identity and culture.

Ready or Not?: Criteria for Marriage Readiness Among Emerging Adults

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 11:47:23 PDT

This study examined emerging adults' criteria for marriage readiness and explored how these criteria are associated with their current attitudes and behaviors. This article establishes the psychometric value of the Criteria for Marriage Readiness Questionnaire and reports on a study of 788 emerging adults recruited from five college sites across the country. Results showed that marriage readiness is viewed by emerging adults as a process of developing interpersonal competencies, making life-long commitments, and acquiring capacities to care for others. These findings suggest that many emerging adults regard becoming an adult and becoming ready for marriage as two distinct transitions in life, with the first involving a shift from being cared for by others to taking care of oneself and the second consisting of a transition from self-care to caring for others. Results also showed that young people's criteria for marriage readiness are associated with individual differences in their current risk taking and family formation values.

"You're Only Young Once": Things College Students Report Doing Now Before It Is Too Late

Ravert, R. D. — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 11:47:23 PDT

This exploratory study examined the extent to which emerging adult college students report engaging in behaviors now because they feel they will lose those opportunities later in life. Students at a large Midwestern U.S. university (N = 248) reported how often they do or try something because they will not be able to do it later as an adult and listed examples of those activities. A majority of students (76%) listed at least one such behavior. Analysis of the listed behaviors uncovered 8 thematic categories: (a) travel/adventure, (b) social events, (c) alcohol/tobacco/drug use, (d) relationships, (e) carefree lifestyle, (f) sports/action, (g) academic/career, and (h) independence/ personal expression. Implications for studies of emerging adulthood development and risk-taking are discussed.