ABSTRACT
Although sibling relationships can be considered as one of the most durable and intensive relationships, not much research in developmental psychology and family research has been done on this issue. The strong focus on parents, more specifically on mothers, stood in the way of adequate conceptualization and understanding of the function and contribution of siblings to individual development and family interaction. In this contribution a conceptualization of sibling relationships is presented. Siblings as objects of aggressive and sexual feelings as well as the function of siblings in the family system, for example, as parentification and negative identity is emphasized. In addition, the different qualities of sibling relationships, for example, envy, rivalry, similarity, and difference, are emphasized. The function of siblings as love objects is stressed, and the role of siblings as support as well as teaching object is illustrated. Finally, it is emphasized that, similar to relationships between parents and child, the quality of sibling relationships changed over time and leads, for example, to a detachment between sibling relationships during adolescence.
Subject(s)
Individuation , Object Attachment , Sibling Relations , Adolescent , Child , Family Therapy , Female , Humans , Male , Parent-Child Relations , Personality DevelopmentABSTRACT
The degree to which coping with stress in romantic relationships is related to relationship development was examined longitudinally in a sample of early adolescents (n=107). Repeated measures ANOVAs revealed a significant decrease in romantic stress over time, while at the same time active coping with romantic stress increased. Concurrently, the quality of romantic relationships changed towards greater intimacy and affection. The results provide some support for recent theories of a developmental sequence in romantic relationships, according to which relationships progress from a more casual initial stage towards a more committed affection phase. In addition, the study illustrates that the multiple functions romantic activity can serve at different stages of development are accompanied by various types of stressors.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Adolescent Behavior/psychology , Interpersonal Relations , Stress, Psychological/psychology , Adolescent , Courtship , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , MaleABSTRACT
This concluding and integrative paper calls attention to several features and conceptual issues addressed by the contributors of this special issue. The first issue pertains to developmental perspectives in the study of how adolescent romance evolves. The second deals with the various features and concepts of adolescent romance. The third topic discusses the association of adolescent romance with other close relationships occurring during this time span. The fourth topic highlights the importance of the diversity of developmental contexts in shaping romantic relationships. Finally, conceptual issues in the study of adolescent romance are reviewed and the need for future studies of early adolescent romantic experiences is discussed.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Courtship , Interpersonal Relations , Life Change Events , Psychology, Adolescent , Family Relations , Female , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
In a longitudinal study over four years, the links between psychosocial factors of the social network and depressive symptomatology were analysed in 107 adolescents. Separate regression analysis for each gender revealed different factors contributing to female and male depression in late adolescence. While females' psychological well-being seems to depend on psychosocial characteristics of their social world, which may serve as protective factors, male depression is primarily determined by former depression, whereas social factors serve as stressors.
Subject(s)
Depression/psychology , Psychology, Adolescent , Social Adjustment , Social Support , Stress, Psychological/complications , Adolescent , Conflict, Psychological , Depression/diagnosis , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Germany , Humans , Interpersonal Relations , Life Change Events , Male , Parent-Child Relations , Prospective Studies , Regression Analysis , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
A four-year longitudinal study explored the different contribution of low self-esteem, different types of stressors, conflict in close relationships and avoidant coping to the explanation of depressive symptomatology in adolescents. One hundred and ninety adolescents, 101 females and 89 males, participated in four annual assessments using diverse instruments. ANOVAs repeated measurements revealed a higher stress level, more conflicts with mothers and more avoidant coping in females as compared to males at the age of 14 years. Males showed fewer depressive symptoms and higher positive self-esteem at all times. Multiple regression analysis revealed that stress and avoidant coping in early and mid-adolescence explained a significant proportion of depressive symptoms among females in late adolescence. Among males, only the level of conflicts with friends in early adolescence contributed to their level of depressive outcome in late adolescence.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Depression/psychology , Gender Identity , Stress, Psychological/complications , Adolescent , Conflict, Psychological , Defense Mechanisms , Female , Humans , Interpersonal Relations , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Personality Assessment , Risk Factors , Self Concept , Stress, Psychological/psychologyABSTRACT
Based on semistructured interviews and the analyses of diary entries, frequency and function of imaginary companions, compared to real friendships, were investigated in an adolescent sample. Results suggest that while imaginary companions fulfill a number of different functions for the identity development, which supplement experiences with close friends, they do not compensate for the lack of close friendships. Real and fantasized comparisons with a highly similar significant other are most important. Interestingly, as an adult, writers hardly remember these positive functions for their own developmental progression.
Subject(s)
Imagination , Interpersonal Relations , Personality Development , Psychology, Adolescent , Adolescent , Child , Female , Gender Identity , Humans , Interview, Psychological , Male , Self Concept , Sex FactorsABSTRACT
In a longitudinal study, the causal links between different types of stressors, coping styles and adolescent symptomatology were investigated. A total of 94 adolescents and their mothers participated in three annual assessments of critical life events, daily stressors and coping styles. The longitudinal associations between life events, everyday stressors, a dysfunctional coping style and symptomatology were analyzed via a path-analytic model. Critical life events and daily stressors were found to be strongly related over time; however, the type of stressor was not consistently linked with adolescent symptomatology. In contrast, withdrawal, a form of avoidant coping, emerged as a significant predictor of adolescent symptomatology across all times. Further, emotional and behavioral problems led to a time-lagged increase in withdrawal, creating a vicious circle. The results are discussed with reference to the coping-skill deficit model.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Adolescent Behavior/psychology , Life Change Events , Adolescent , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Prospective Studies , Stress, Psychological/psychologyABSTRACT
Imaginary companions are common in childhood and adolescence. However, little research has been conducted on this phenomenon, and the significance and functions of imaginary companions remain poorly understood. Conceptions about the psychopathological consequences of having an imaginary companion predominate. This contribution provides an overview of the current state of research and an analysis of five different functions a child's or adolescent's imaginary companion may fulfill. Developmental changes in reality-testing, fantasies, and creativity are linked with this phenomenon as are changes in socio-emotional development and in friendship conceptions. The positive, stimulating function of an imaginary companion for further development is emphasized.
Subject(s)
Fantasy , Imagination , Object Attachment , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Personality Development , Psychoanalytic TheoryABSTRACT
In the following contribution, developmental aspects are highlighted which served as a framework for developing an diagnostic instrument for child and adolescent psychiatry. In operationalizing a psychodynamic instrument for assessing children and adolescent symptomatology, a developmental perspective is critically important. Compared to adult, developmental changes occur on most dimensions measured, for example with respect to coping with the illness and dealing with stressors and conflicts. In addition, relationships with parents and peers changed over time as well as the capacity of self-reflexion and empathy. Two important conceptualizations are presented, which deal with these changes, the concept of developmental lines and the theory of developmental tasks. These conceptualizations, together with the theory of cognitive development, served as a framework for an approach, which distinguish diagnostically between infants, pre-school children, schools aged children and adolescents.
Subject(s)
Adolescent Psychiatry/standards , Child Development , Child Psychiatry/standards , Personality Development , Psychological Tests/standards , Adolescent , Child , Germany , Humans , InfantABSTRACT
Conflict according to the OPD is understood as a lasting and unconscious inner conflict, which should be described on the background of the child's or adolescent's developmental state. In accordance with the adult OPD the following seven conflicts can be differentiated: Dependence versus autonomy, submission versus control, desire for care versus autarchy, conflicts of self-value (narcissistic conflicts, self-value versus object-value), conflicts of loyalty (guilt conflicts, egoistic versus pro-social tendencies), oedipal sexual conflicts, identity conflicts (identity versus dissonance). These conflicts have been operationalized for 6 domain of daily living--family, peers, kindergarten/school, property, play and illness--for the developmental phases (2-5, 6-11, and older than 12 years) separately.
Subject(s)
Adolescent Psychiatry/standards , Child Psychiatry/standards , Conflict, Psychological , Adolescent , Child , Germany , Humans , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales/standards , Psychoanalytic InterpretationSubject(s)
Intergenerational Relations , Object Attachment , Personality Development , Adult , Child , Female , Humans , Infant , MaleABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Compare changes in perceived family climate over time in families with healthy adolescents and families with adolescents with diabetes and analyze the links to metabolic control. METHOD: In a total of four annually conducted surveys, 89 German adolescents with diabetes and 106 healthy adolescents as well as their parents completed the Family Environment Scale (FES). Metabolic control was determined by physicians' reports of adolescents' hemoglobin (HbA1) levels. RESULTS: Compared to families with healthy adolescents, families caring for an adolescent with diabetes portrayed their family interactions as considerably more structured and less cohesive and stimulating. Family climate was not associated with metabolic control and varied little with time, illness duration, and adolescents' gender. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that continued parental monitoring is necessary for good metabolic control. However, a balance must be found between medical adaptation to illness and the adolescent's developmental needs.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/psychology , Family Relations , Internal-External Control , Self Care/psychology , Sick Role , Adaptation, Psychological , Adolescent , Child , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/blood , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/rehabilitation , Female , Germany , Glycated Hemoglobin/metabolism , Humans , Male , Personality AssessmentABSTRACT
This study examined whether chronic illness causes delays in adolescents' perceived developmental status. Longitudinal data were obtained from 86 adolescents afflicted with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and 103 healthy adolescents. The adolescents annually completed a questionnaire pertaining to their current developmental status and their desired future developmental status in 11 age-specific developmental tasks. Health status and physical maturity were also determined. In the first year of the study, the diabetics reported delays compared with their healthy peers in some developmental tasks, particularly physical maturity and an independent lifestyle. However, the overall developmental progression perceived by chronically ill adolescents was impressive. The difficulty of balancing normative development with the demands of chronic illness is discussed.
Subject(s)
Body Image , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/psychology , Life Style , Personality Development , Sick Role , Activities of Daily Living/psychology , Adaptation, Psychological , Adolescent , Female , Humans , Male , Peer Group , Social AdjustmentABSTRACT
One hundred and ninety-eight adolescents and their mothers (N = 189) and fathers (N = 136) participated in a 4-year longitudinal study. Adolescent problem behaviour was assessed by the Youth Self-Report (YSR) and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). In addition, parental stress and marital adjustment were determined. Results showed that mothers and fathers showed high agreement, especially about their daughters, whereas parents and adolescents showed little agreement. Agreement was higher for internalising than for externalising behaviours. In general, adolescents reported more symptomatology than their parents did. However, mothers' ratings of their children's behaviours were significantly correlated with adolescents' self-ratings, but fathers' ratings were not. Statistical tests of correlations showed that mothers experiencing stress caused by marital problems perceived more problem behaviours in their children. Fathers' perceptions were relatively unaffected by personal adjustment. However, poor marital adjustment perceived by both parents showed a significant negative relation to adolescent externalising problem behaviour.
Subject(s)
Child Behavior Disorders/diagnosis , Father-Child Relations , Gender Identity , Internal-External Control , Mother-Child Relations , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child Behavior Disorders/psychology , Female , Humans , Life Change Events , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Marriage/psychology , Personality Assessment/statistics & numerical data , Psychometrics , Risk FactorsSubject(s)
Child Development , Father-Child Relations , Parenting/psychology , Personality Development , Adolescent , Child , Female , Gender Identity , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
In a sample on 243 adolescents, it was investigated whether idealization is a necessary consequence for adolescents experiencing parental divorce. Earlier studies emphasized the negative effects of parental divorce on the development of children and adolescents. Due to historic changes in family structure, however, parental divorce has to be conceptualized in more positive terms. In the study presented, idealization of the non-custodial father was only found in a clinical subsample of adolescents, whereas the father-adolescent relationship in non-clinical adolescents from divorced families did not differ significantly from the quality of relationship described by non-clinical adolescents living in two-parent families. The function of idealization in coping with negative affects such as aggression and affliction is discussed, in particular for those adolescents in the clinical sample who rarely have contact with their non-custodial fathers, and the contributions of fathers to hold up this idealization outlined. Idealistic conceptions in adolescents of divorced parents are especially problematic, since adolescents are expected to become disengaged of their parents and develop a mature and realistic perception of them.
Subject(s)
Defense Mechanisms , Divorce/psychology , Father-Child Relations , Parenting/psychology , Personality Development , Adolescent , Aggression/psychology , Child , Child Custody , Female , Humans , Male , Reality TestingABSTRACT
In this contribution, family communication processes were analyzed in a sample of families caring for chronically ill adolescents compared to families with healthy adolescents. Fifty-five families had to solve the FIT two times, in 1991 and in 1993. Results elucidated an atmosphere of consensus, in families with chronically ill adolescents as well as a tendency to discuss less options than in families with healthy adolescents. Fathers in particular disagreed rarely and gave only indirect suggestions. In contrast, families with a healthy adolescent showed more vivid discussion and more individuality. Over the time, in all families, fathers emphasized increased separateness with their adolescents, irrespective of the gender of the child.
Subject(s)
Communication , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/psychology , Father-Child Relations , Parenting/psychology , Problem Solving , Adaptation, Psychological , Adolescent , Child , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Sick RoleABSTRACT
The present study was designed to find out to what extent imaginary companions are created in the diaries of adolescents. A total of 241 adolescents aged 12 to 17 years were investigated to determine the incidence as well as the characteristics and functions of such fictitious individuals in this age group. Content analysis of data obtained from questionnaires revealed that the imaginary companion was similar to the writer in many aspects. The imaginary companion supported the adolescent during the process of developing his/her identity. The relative influence of self-concept, creativity, role-taking ability, coping behavior, and egocentrism was then investigated using a hierarchical regression model. Three hypotheses were tested: (1) the deficit hypothesis, i.e. only adolescents with a deficit in social interaction create an imaginary companion, (2) the giftedness hypothesis, i.e. especially creative adolescents invent such a companion and (3) the egocentrism hypothesis, i.e. the construction of an imaginary companion is the result of perceived uniqueness and related to personal fable and imaginary audience behaviour. The results showed that the imaginary companion was not the result of an egocentric orientation, and by no means was a substitute for other trustworthy partners such as family members or friends. On the contrary, socially competent and creative adolescents with good coping abilities were particularly prone to create such a "very special friend".
Subject(s)
Imagination , Psychology, Adolescent , Social Behavior , Adaptation, Psychological , Adolescent , Child , Child, Gifted/psychology , Creativity , Defense Mechanisms , Fantasy , Female , Humans , Male , Object Attachment , Personality Development , Social AdjustmentABSTRACT
The problem of boundaries between chronically ill adolescents and their mothers is reviewed from psychoanalytic and developmental perspectives. In general, the transition to adulthood encompasses several processes that are especially important for chronically ill adolescents, including the differentiation and fusion of self and others, the integration of the mature genitals into the body concept, and the acceptance of a defective body. In particular, the constant vigilance over and care of the body prescribed for adolescents afflicted with diabetes, as well as the necessity of repeatedly injuring their bodies by injecting insulin, have no correlate in normal development. The difficulties of balancing the need for boundaries and the wish for fusion and merger are illustrated by a case study from a longitudinal study on diabetic and healthy adolescents and their families.
