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Parental influences on the development of adolescent autonomy and identity

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Abstract

Two studies were undertaken to examine parental influences on autonomy and identity development. In Study 1, 262 adolescents in seventh and eleventh grades were given Kurtines's autonomy measure, Simmons's identity measure, and Elder's questions regarding the adolescents' perceptions of their parents' autocratic, democratic, or permissive parenting styles. Study 2 was a replication with 168 subjects. Across both studies it was found that sex-role socialization is more influential for automony development than is either level of parental power or age. Both age and father's use of democracy were the most influential variables on identity development.

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Received Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. Major interests are adolescent social cognition and social development.

Major interests are adolescent social cognition and social development.

Major interests are adolescent social cognition and social development.

Received Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati. Major interests are cognitive development and theories of personality.

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Enright, R.D., Lapsley, D.K., Drivas, A.E. et al. Parental influences on the development of adolescent autonomy and identity. J Youth Adolescence 9, 529–545 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02089889

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02089889

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