Researching the identity development of individuals within the family system

In the article, the author summarizes the main findings of her research, aimed at examining the role parents and interactions within the family system play in the identity formation of female students. The research of the family is based on Beavers’ family competence theory (Beavers, 1976; Beavers and Hampson, 1993). The two foundations for the research of identity development are the aspect of psychosocial development, presented by Erikson’s (1968; 1989) theory and the theory of identity statuses (Marcia, 1993a). The instruments used are based on the theoretical foundations listed above. The research included 93 families (with both parents) of female adolescents – students of the Faculty of Education in Ljubljana. One of the main findings of the research is that family members perceive interaction within the family differently. This can be an important source of conflict in the family. How a family deals with conflict depends on the competence of the family system, which also represents the foundation for the healthy psychosocial development of the adolescent. Both parents and their psychosocial development also play important, but different roles in their daughter’s psychosocial and identity development