Profiles of a Developmental Asset: Youth Purpose as a Context for Hope and Well-Being |
| |
Authors: | Anthony L Burrow Amanda C O’Dell Patrick L Hill |
| |
Institution: | (1) Department of Psychology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA;(2) Department of Human Development, Cornell University, G77 Martha Van Rensselaer Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853-4401, USA;(3) Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA |
| |
Abstract: | While having a purpose in life has been theorized as a developmental asset, the extent to which adolescents cultivate a meaningful
sense of direction is not well understood. In the present study, cluster analysis was used to classify adolescents by levels
of purpose exploration and commitment. The sample (N = 318; 55% female) consisted of youth aged 14–18 and was predominantly White/non-Hispanic (76.3%). Results supported four
meaningful yet distinguishable profiles of youth purpose that are largely consistent with theories on identity formation:
Achieved, Foreclosed, Uncommitted, and Diffused. Hypothesized linkages with affect and hope were established across the profiles
such that positive emotions and goal-directed thinking were most apparent among Achieved and Foreclosed youth and least apparent
among Diffused and Uncommitted youth. Overall, findings demonstrate the inherent complexity in adolescents’ engagement with
purpose and suggest a correspondence between stronger commitments to purpose and youths’ sense of personal agency and well-being. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|