IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT: AN OVERVIEW OF ADOLESCENTS

The present study explored the identity development process of adolescents in a collectivistic cultural background of Pakistan. The sample consisted of 80 boys and girls, 40 each from urban and rural settings. A convenient sample was selected from 10 different colleges and higher secondary schools of Multan and its suburbs. Ego-Identity Interview was used to asses the identity level of adolescents. It was a semi structured interview (Marcia, 1966) and assesses identity in six domains on the basis of the level of exploration and commitment of individuals. Four statuses were assigned after careful analysis of the data including identity achieved, moratorium, foreclosed, and diffused. An open-ended questionnaire was also used to see the orientation of adolescents towards individualism or collectivism at personal level. Results indicated that majority of adolescents were foreclosed in the domains of occupation (31%), religion (81%), politics (47%), and sex roles (64%). Large numbers of adolescents were identity achieved in the domain of friendship (65%) whereas a large number of adolescents were diffused in the domain of dating (77%). Results also showed that adolescents had collectivistic orientation at personal level. Data were analyzed on the basis of the cultural variability dimensions of individualism/collectivism.