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A grounded theory of separation, connection, and the use of transitional objects in late adolescent women
Abstract
The goals of this study were to explore and describe the process of late adolescent development in women. Twenty-four females, ages 18 to 24, were interviewed about their perceptions of themselves and their relationships, and how these perceptions had changed during their late adolescence. Subjects also completed a two-part demographic measure. Four significant themes of change emerged: Independence and Connection, Time Orientation, Response to Diversity, and Self-Esteem. Two modes of organizing experience, Splitting and Differentiation, emerged as salient developmental processes during this time. Late adolescent development was found to be a three phase process, characterized by interactions among and changes in the six factors. These three phases were termed Separation and Discovery, Use of Transitional Objects, and Integration and Reconnection. Transition from late adolescence to young adulthood was found to be mediated by the use of transitional objects, which were created by the adolescent for the purpose of facilitating development and were discarded when they were no longer needed. Transitional objects were found to play an important role in the process of internalization. The three-phase process is then presented as a model for life-span development.
Subject Area
Clinical psychology|Developmental psychology
Recommended Citation
Schnur, Randi Ellen, "A grounded theory of separation, connection, and the use of transitional objects in late adolescent women" (1990). Doctoral Dissertations Available from Proquest. AAI9110211.
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations/AAI9110211