Family Processes, Identity Development, and Behavioral Outcomes for Adopted Adolescents

Abstract

Relationship processes of connection, regulation, and autonomy within families are considered with respect to the development of identity in adopted adolescents. Following discussion of the changing nature ofadoptive family relationships in North America and conceptual and methodological issues in the study of identity, it is argued that coherence of identity narratives can serve as a useful window on adolescent development. A research agenda linking family processes with identity development in adopted adolecsents that involves both descriptive and hypothesis-testing phases is outlined. It is specifically hypothesized that variations in openness in adoption (forms of connection) moderate the relation between family process and adolescent outcomes and that identity (a form of autonomy) mediates this link.