Identity formation of adolescents involved in selected structured activities

Identity formation is seen as the primary developmental task during adolescence according to Erikson (1968). Adolescents\u27 involvement in structured activities such as extracurricular activity, 4-H, and volunteerism were examined to determine their associations with identity formation. Researcher James Marcia (1966) developed four statuses of identity formation: diffusion, foreclosure, moratorium, and achieved. Categorization in one of the four statuses depends upon the levels of both crisis and commitment. Adolescents who are in the identity-diffused category have had no crisis or made no commitment. Those who foreclose, have made a commitment, but have had no crisis. Moratorium is a state of exploration, where a crisis is present, but no commitment has yet been made. Finally, in the identity-achieved state, the individual has faced a crisis and made a commitment (Marcia, 1966). (Abstract shortened by UMI.)