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Encyclopedia of Adolescence pp 1–3Cite as

Adolescent Crisis

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Overview

The concept of an adolescent crisis typically refers to the notion of an identity crisis that occurs during the period of adolescence. The leading theory in this area was developed by developmental psychologist Erik Erikson who examined the importance of forming a strong sense of identity and how, during the adolescent period, individuals would face an identity crisis that would refer to a time of intensive analysis and exploration of different ways of looking at oneself. The resolution of that exploration would be an identity that would allow adolescents to become psychologically healthy adults and allow them to address other developmental challenges. Research supports well Erikson’s views of intense concern about identity issues during adolescence, and society even has created the period of adolescence (mainly through schooling) that permits youth to take on roles and challenges to help them determine their sense of identity.

Crisis and Adolescence

An adolescent crisis can...

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References

  • Boyes, M. C., & Chandler, M. (1992). Cognitive development, epistemic doubt, and identity formation in adolescence. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 21, 277–304.

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  • Cote, J. E., & Levine, C. (1987). A formulation of Erikson’s theory of ego identity formation. Developmental Review, 7(4), 273–325.

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  • Erikson, E. H. (1968). Identity: Youth and crisis. New York: Norton.

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  • Erikson, E. H. (1980). Identity and the life cycle: A reissue. New York: Norton.

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  • Kidwell, J. S., Dunham, R. M., Bacho, R. A., Pastorino, E., & Portes, P. R. (1995). Adolescent identity exploration: A test of Erikson’s theory of transitional crisis. Adolescence, 30, 785–793.

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  • Stark, P. A., & Traxler, A. J. (1974). Empirical validation of Erikson’s theory of identity crises in late adolescence. The Journal of Psychology, 86(1), 25–33.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Indiana University, 302 Sycamore Hall, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA

    Roger J. R. Levesque

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  1. Roger J. R. Levesque
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Correspondence to Roger J. R. Levesque .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA

    Roger J.R. Levesque

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© 2016 Springer International Publishing AG

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Levesque, R.J.R. (2016). Adolescent Crisis. In: Levesque, R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Adolescence. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32132-5_489-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32132-5_489-2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-32132-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

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