A Cross-National Study of Adolescent Peer Concordance on Issues of the Future

Abstract

Adolescents in 4 nations were surveyed about theirperceptions regarding adulthood and perceptions they assumed peers to hold. Central tenets of Dynamic Functional Interaction were tested. This theory of adolescent psychological development argues that adolescents try to see themselves in concordance with age-mates to reduce uncertainties associated with transition to adulthood. Approximately 3,500 individuals participated in the cross-national study that explored the association of nationality, age, and gender with level of perceived concordance. Findings disclosed presence of universals as well as national effects. Significant levels of concordance in each nation, at all ages, and in both genders indicated commonalities in the developmental process irrespective of nationality. Scottish youths perceived themselves in concordance with peers almost 50% more often than did U.S. youths. The concordance pattern with respect to age was different markedly in the Philippines. Overall, age and nation had a strongerassociation with concordance than did gender.