Separation-Individuation in Patterns in Turkey: An Investigation of Developmental, Gender and Contextual Differences

Introduction There is still a paucity of studies exploring the impacts teenage employment on mental health and development. In many developing countries, youths participate intensively in labor force. The involvement adolescent world work would promote development responsibility prepare young person to function more effectively adult roles. Objectives purposes present study were examine separation-individuation among an understudied vulnerable population; Separation-Individuation Test Adolescence (SITA) for revealing differentiation working male group from student group. Methods Participants completed SITA. 1 consisted 618 high school 252 university students between ages 14 24, 489 which girls 381 boys. Study 2, participants 269 adolescents 15 17, 141 full-time worker 128 students. 1, these results consistent with r approchement subphase separation- individuation process adolescence - striking desires intimacy independence. Results Our support gender specific patterns identity formation argument that connectedness close relationships plays central role female Interestingly, there no significant differences tendency view interpersonal as threatening their sense independence selfhood, deny or avoid dependency needs. reason this might be cultural individualistic collectivistic cultures. males could distinguished counterparts by increased seek ties caretakers. finding also suggested reflected characteristics traditional adolescents’ striving. Across both it was found Turkish child-rearing have been characterized emphasis family than cultures Conclusions revealed subscales SITA –especially denial, rejection expectancy, nurturance seeking, engulfment anxiety, teacher enmeshment- can help clinicians assessing reliable way. We lead difficulties bonds parents because long hours, early withdrawal dependent, preadultlike role, reflect Disclosure Interest None Declared