Differences in Identity Development of Adolescents with their Ordinal Position

Abstract

Present study assessed and compared the identity development of adolescents across their ordinal position and class. It was conducted among urban and rural PUC students of Dharwad and Tanakpur in the age group of 16-18 years who were randomly selected from four science coaching institutes of Dharwad (Karnataka) and three science coaching institutes of Tanakpur (Uttarakhand). Samples included 10 to 15 per cent students from each class (PUC-I and PUC-II) of coaching institutes that constituted an overall 592 students. General information schedule and Dimensions of Identity Development Scale were used to gather basic information about respondents and to assess their identity development. The results of the present study revealed that, PUC-II students scored better in identity development than PUC-I students in both the places. With respect to ordinal position, first born PUC students of Dharwad had higher identity development than later born. However, no significant association and difference was observed between ordinal position and identity development of Tanakpur PUC students. Thus, differential effect of ordinal position and class were observed on identity development of PUC students.