Asia Pacific Journal of Pediatric and Child Health

Abstract Ref Number = APCP127

Invited Speakers

Adolescence: Searching for Identity

TjhinWiguna Child and Adolescent Division, Department of Psychiatry Dr CiptoMangunkusumo General Hospital Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia Jakarta Indonesia

Adolescence is a period of turmoil development stage that includes the biological and psychosocial changes. Erik Erikson who was the first psychoanalyst explained the ego identity as a concept that was psychosocial in nature, formed by the intersection of individual biological and psychological capacities in combination with the opportunities and supports offered by one’s social context. Therefore, identity is defined as a sense of who we are as individual and member of social groups. Based on Erik Erikson explanation, the main task of adolescence is to answer the question of ‘who am I?’, resolve the crisis of identity and dismiss the role confusion. On the other hand, James E. Marcia described that identity development was a non-linear process that occurred in response of crisis that originated from school, relationship and values. Marcia explained thatthere were four statuses towards identity development, i.e. identity confusion, identity foreclosure, identity moratorium, and identity achieve-ment. Consequently, identity formation was not developed precisely; it was a complex synthesizing and involved commitment to sexual orientation, ideological attitude, and vocational direction. That was one of the several reasons why some adolescents and young people either did not form an identity or form only a partial one. They could not risk mentioning "no" to elements of their past of which they certain and make the affirmative leap into an uncertain future.In addition, another dimension of identity could also be categorized as self and social identity; a strong positive self-identity was associated with positive self-esteem that is very important for adolescents to achieve their ego identity. Many studies described that a strong and stable identity was linked with a better mental health among adolescents. Nevertheless, Identity development is dynamic and complex, and changes from time to time and becomes a central discussion during the adolescence period when decisions about future and relationships are concerned. However, identity still develops and needs further reflection and revision during different phases of adult life.

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