Identity formation : a comparison between Sikh and non-Sikh Canadian female adolescents
Date
1986
Authors
Ellis, Catherine Anna
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This study examined the identity formation process of 10 Canadian Sikh female adolescents and 10 Canadian Non-Sikh female adolescents between the ages of 16 and 18 years of age. A modified version of Marcia's Identity Status Interview and Simmons' Identity Achievement Scale were administered to subjects to assess their identity status profiles and levels of identity achievement. Both groups of subjects were found to have similar identity achievement levels, however, there were differences between the Sikh and Non-Sikh subjects in their identity formation processes. Due to the unique themes which were found in three of the Sikh adolescents' identity interviews, a new status was developed to better describe the characteristics of their identity profiles. The status was labelled Stress Foreclosed. The Sikh adolescents expressed higher anxiety in resolving issues than the Non-Sikh adolescents largely due to the additional task they confronted of having to resolve issues concerning cultural differences.