Abstract
This chapter focuses on the theme of peer relationships, as these simultaneously support and challenge transitions. It builds on two case studies that together show how the movement between cultural environments creates challenges for identity construction, as well as creates the need to redefine relationships with peers. The micro-level analysis of the dynamics of meaning-making related to the two case studies enables exploring how young adults’ relationships with their friends simultaneously trigger self-explorations and provide semiotic resources for managing these in the context of mobility. The case studies also show how the physical border-crossings are coupled with making semiotic borders between different others, between self and others and within self across time.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Arnett, J. J., Kloep, M., Hendry, L. B., & Tanner, J. L. (2011). Debating emerging adulthood: Stage or process. New York: Oxford University Press.
Baldry, S., Märtsin, M., & Eivers, A. (2018). Travelling without a destination? A dialogical analysis of professional identity construction among Australian psychology double degree students. Identity: An International Journal of Theory and Research, 18, 94–108. https://doi.org/10.1080/15283488.2018.1447483
Collins, W. A., & van Dulmen, M. (2006). Friendships and romance in emerging adulthood: Assessing distinctiveness in close relationships. In J. J. Arnett & J. L. Tanner (Eds.), Emerging adults in America: Coming of age in the 21st century (pp. 219–234). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Crafter, S., Maunder, R., & Soulsby, L. (2019). Developmental transitions: Exploring stability and change through the lifespan. London and New York: Routledge.
de Abreu, G., & Hale, H. (2011). Trajectories of cultural identity development of young immigrant people: The impact of family practices. Psychological Studies, 56(1), 53–61. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12646-011-0061-6
Español, A., Marsico, G., & Tateo, L. (2018). Maintaining borders: From border guards to diplomats. Human Affairs: Postdisciplinary Humanities & Social Sciences Quarterly, 28(4), 443–460. https://doi.org/10.1515/humaff-2018-0036
Gillespie, A., Kadianaki, I., & O’Sullivan-Lago, R. (2012). Encountering alterity: Geographic and semantic movements. In J. Valsiner (Ed.), The Oxford handbook of culture and psychology (pp. 695–709). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Greco, M., & Stenner, P. (2017). From paradox to pattern shift: Conceptualising liminal hotspots and their affective dynamics. Theory & Psychology, 27(2), 147–166. https://doi.org/10.1177/0959354317693120
Henderson, S., Holland, J., McGrellis, S., Sharpe, S., & Thomson, R. (2007). Inventing adulthoods: A biographical approach to youth transitions. London: Sage.
Koontz Anthony, A., & McCabe, J. (2015). Friendship talk as identity work: Defining the self through friend relationships. Symbolic Interaction, 38(1), 64–82. https://doi.org/10.1002/SYMB.138
Levitan, D. (2019). The art of living in transitoriness: Strategies of families in repeated geographical mobility. Integrative Psychological & Behavioral Science, 53, 258–282. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12124-018-9448-4
Marsico, G. (2016). The borderland. Culture & Psychology, 22(2), 206–215. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354067X15601199
Marsico, G., & Tateo, L. (2017). Borders, tensegrity and development in dialogue. Integrative Psychological & Behavioral Science, 51(4), 536–556. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12124-017-9398-2
Märtsin, M., Chang, I., & Obst, P. (2016). Using culture to manage the transition into university: Conceptualising the dynamics of withdrawal and engagement. Culture & Psychology, 22, 276–295. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354067X15621476
McNamara Barry, C., Madsen, S. D., Nelson, L. J., Carroll, J. S., & Badger, S. (2009). Friendship and romantic relationship qualities in emerging adulthood: Differential associations with identity development and achieved adulthood criteria. Journal of Adult Development, 16, 209–222.
Plöger, J., & Kubiak, S. (2019). Becoming ‘the internationals’—How place shapes the sense of belonging and group formation of high-skilled migrants. Journal of International Migration and Integration, 20, 307–321. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-018-0608-7
Stein, C. H., Petrowski, C. E., Gonzales, S. M., Mattei, G. M., Hratl Majcher, J., Froemming, M. W., et al. (2018). A matter of life and death: Understanding continuing bonds and post-traumatic growth when young adults experience the loss of a close friend. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 27(3), 725–738. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-017-0943-x
Swenson, L. M., Nordstrom, A., & Hiester, M. (2008). The role of peer relationships in adjustment to college. Journal of College Student Development, 49(6), 551–567.
Szakolczai, Á. (2017). Permanent (trickster) liminality: The reasons of the heart and of the mind. Theory & Psychology, 27(2), 231–248. https://doi.org/10.1177/0959354317694095
Thomson, R. (2011). Unfolding lives: Youth, gender and change. Bristol: The Policy Press.
Zittoun, T., Levitan, D., & Cangiá, F. (2018). A sociocultural approach to mobile families: A case study. Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, 24(4), 424–432. https://doi.org/10.1037/pac0000313
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Märtsin, M. (2019). Reconstructing Relationships. In: Identity Development in the Lifecourse. Sociocultural Psychology of the Lifecourse . Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-27753-6_5
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-27753-6_5
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-27752-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-27753-6
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science and PsychologyBehavioral Science and Psychology (R0)