The primary goal of the current study was to explore who emerging adults consult regarding their identity issues and to explore the characteristics of emerging adults who consult siblings. Another goal was to examine the advice and support of siblings and peers related to the career and educational goals of emerging adults. A mixed method approach was used. The sample consisted of 396 students with a smaller subsample asked to participate in an online discussion forum with their sibling (N = 43) or peers (N = 24). Online discussions were analyzed for concepts and themes related to types of advice or informational support given to aid a sibling or peer in their identity formation process. Participants reported seeking the most advice from friends, parents, significant others, and siblings regarding long term goals and careers. Participants reported seeking advice from siblings the most regarding long term goals. Regarding the demographic and identity formation characteristics of participants who reported frequently consulting siblings, the number of siblings reported was the strongest predictor followed by the normative and diffuse-avoidant identity styles. Related to patterns found in sibling and peer advice, no differences were found with both groups providing cognitive-emotional and behavioral advice in their feedback posts. Student participants and related siblings ascribed a more important role to siblings over peers in their identity formation processes. The need for further research on siblings as identity agents was discussed. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Family and Child Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of
Philosophy. / Spring Semester, 2011. / March 28, 2011. / Online Discussions, College Students, Identity Agents / Includes bibliographical references. / Ronald L. Mullis, Professor Directing Dissertation; Patrice Iatarola, University Representative; Ann K. Mullis, Committee Member; Marsha Rehm, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_181029 |
| Contributors | Nalls, A. Mercedes (authoraut), Mullis, Ronald L. (professor directing dissertation), Iatarola, Patrice (university representative), Mullis, Ann K. (committee member), Rehm, Marsha (committee member), Department of Family and Child Sciences (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource, computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
Page generated in 0.0087 seconds