TY - JOUR
T1 - Profiles of a Developmental Asset
T2 - Youth Purpose as a Context for Hope and Well-Being
AU - Burrow, Anthony L.
AU - O'Dell, Amanda C.
AU - Hill, Patrick L.
PY - 2010
Y1 - 2010
N2 - While having a purpose in life has been theorized as a developmental asset, the extent to which adolescents cultivate a meaningful sense of direction is not well understood. In the present study, cluster analysis was used to classify adolescents by levels of purpose exploration and commitment. The sample (N = 318; 55% female) consisted of youth aged 14-18 and was predominantly White/non-Hispanic (76.3%). Results supported four meaningful yet distinguishable profiles of youth purpose that are largely consistent with theories on identity formation: Achieved, Foreclosed, Uncommitted, and Diffused. Hypothesized linkages with affect and hope were established across the profiles such that positive emotions and goal-directed thinking were most apparent among Achieved and Foreclosed youth and least apparent among Diffused and Uncommitted youth. Overall, findings demonstrate the inherent complexity in adolescents' engagement with purpose and suggest a correspondence between stronger commitments to purpose and youths' sense of personal agency and well-being.
AB - While having a purpose in life has been theorized as a developmental asset, the extent to which adolescents cultivate a meaningful sense of direction is not well understood. In the present study, cluster analysis was used to classify adolescents by levels of purpose exploration and commitment. The sample (N = 318; 55% female) consisted of youth aged 14-18 and was predominantly White/non-Hispanic (76.3%). Results supported four meaningful yet distinguishable profiles of youth purpose that are largely consistent with theories on identity formation: Achieved, Foreclosed, Uncommitted, and Diffused. Hypothesized linkages with affect and hope were established across the profiles such that positive emotions and goal-directed thinking were most apparent among Achieved and Foreclosed youth and least apparent among Diffused and Uncommitted youth. Overall, findings demonstrate the inherent complexity in adolescents' engagement with purpose and suggest a correspondence between stronger commitments to purpose and youths' sense of personal agency and well-being.
KW - Adolescents
KW - Identity
KW - Positive youth development
KW - Purpose
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/78650215228
U2 - 10.1007/s10964-009-9481-1
DO - 10.1007/s10964-009-9481-1
M3 - Article
C2 - 19937095
AN - SCOPUS:78650215228
SN - 0047-2891
VL - 39
SP - 1265
EP - 1273
JO - Journal of Youth and Adolescence
JF - Journal of Youth and Adolescence
IS - 11
ER -