Factors influencing the development of identity in late adolescence in South Africa : a rapid review

Abstract

South African youth is facing an identity crisis. Answering the questions “Who am I” and “Where am I going?” are at the core of each adolescent's identity development. Although identity development is embedded within the lifespan theory of development, it is important to note that it is a process with its onset mainly during adolescence. Many challenges are being faced by these individuals, which makes it difficult for them to establish and maintain an identity. A youth struggling with the development and establishment of a secure and healthy identity has detrimental consequences for the applicable society and country's economic, educational, and psychosocial future. Theorists such as Erikson, Marcia, Crocetti, and Luycks indicated that identity development revolves around a process of exploring options within the main domains of career choices, sexuality, political views, religion, spirituality, as well as life goals and ultimately committing to a certain identity stance within each of these domains. For this study, a rapid review was conducted to answer the research question: What are the factors influencing the identity development of late adolescents in South Africa? After following a rigorous and scientific method to screen and appraise all relevant articles, a final eight articles were analysed and synthesised to identify themes and subthemes that could help answer the formulated research question. After the analyses of the identified articles, it was found that the main factors influencing identity development of late adolescents in South Africa are centred around: (1) Being myself: Factors influencing identity development on an

intrapsychic level, (2) Being myself in relation to others: Factors influencing identity development on an interpersonal level, and (3) Being myself in different contexts: Factors influencing identity development on a contextual level. When integrating these identified themes with other relevant literature on this topic, it was clear that identity development amongst adolescence does not develop in isolation. The depth and richness of identity development are in it’s being a multidimensional, multi-layered dynamic process where the magic lies in the reciprocal interaction between the various factors identified. When dividing the identified factors into constant and fluid factors, a dynamic and interactional process occurs where awareness of the constant factors is combined with the activation of the fluid factors, which could be useful in informing pro-active interventions for the adolescents in South Africa. Schools could raise awareness and implement certain interventions embracing and accepting the constant factors contributing to identity development (gender, culture, psychosocial development) and the activation of the multi-layered fluid factors and systems surrounding these schools such as parents (parenting styles), the community (relationships with peers and neighbours), local government and policies (educational and socio-political resources and support). If these interventions can pro-actively launch the process of thorough, in-depth identity exploration and investigation before premature and foreclosed identity commitments are made, it could add value in guiding the culture of identity development in respective communities and South Africa as a whole.