Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

5-2001

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Human Ecology

Major Professor

Julia A. Malia

Committee Members

Michael W. Singletary, Sandra L. Twardosz, Deborah P. Welsh

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of family rituals on identity achievement in late adolescence. Using Erkison's psychosocial theory of identity achievement and family systems theory as frameworks, this study investigated the possible mediational role of family rituals (as represented by family ritual meaning) between family environment (as represented by family cohesion, expressiveness, and conflict) and adolescent identity achievement status.

Key findings include (a) a significant positive relationship between family cohesion and identity achievement in late adolescence, (b) a significant positive relationship between family expressiveness and adolescent identity achievement, (c) a significant negative relationship between family conflict and adolescent identity achievement, (d) a significant positive relationship between family cohesion and family rituals, (e) a significant positive relationship between family expressiveness and family rituals, (f) a significant negative relationship between family conflict and family rituals, (g) a significant positive relationship between family rituals and adolescent identity achievement, and (h) a reduced relationship between family environment variables and adolescent identity achievement when controlling for family rituals.

These findings support prior research that has suggested that family environment influences identity achievement during late adolescence. These findings also support the primary research hypothesis of this study that family rituals serve as an important and previously overlooked mechanism whereby family environment exerts influence on the identity achievement status of members during their late adolescence.

This study also examined family rituals using an original qualitative instrument. The data that were collected using this instrument suggested that most participants in this project regard their family's rituals to be a positive part of their family's interaction. The majority of reported that their family rituals were centered around religious traditions.

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