The Role of Family Functioning in the Extent of Experienced Identity Crisis and Differentiation Levels of Adolescents

Adolescence as the most critical period in each individual’s life coincides with numerous obstacles and family plays a pivotal role in overcoming these difficulties. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of family functioning in the extent of experienced identity crisis and differentiation levels of adolescents. This study was descriptive-correlational. The statistical population of the study included all high school students aged 15-17 in Ardakan and its suburbs (Yazd Province). For the purpose of sampling, cluster sampling method was used and 370 male and female students were selected. The instrumentation comprised Family Assessment Device (FAD), Ahmadi's Identity Crisis Inventory as well as the Differentiation of Self Inventory-Revised (DSI-R). The obtained data were analyzed through Pearson correlation, step-wise regression, and two-sample t-test. Results showed that there was a significant positive relationship between family functioning and differentiation. Furthermore, a significant positive association was observed between all components of family functioning and “I position” subscale of differentiation. However, there was a negative significant relationship between 5 components of family functioning (communication, roles, general functioning, problem solving, behavior control) and “fusion” subscale of differentiation. Moreover, family functioning and its dimensions were negatively correlated with the extent of adolescents’ experienced identity crisis. More specifically, “general functioning” and “roles” components could predict identity crisis and differentiation could be predicted by “general functioning”. Also results revealed that girls experienced higher levels of identity crisis than boys; however, the observed differentiation differences between the two genders were not significant. In general, it can be stated that family functioning plays a central role in the extent of experienced identity crisis and differentiation levels of adolescents.