Cultural Differences in the Perception of Personal Growth Among Adolescents

Datos Bibliográficos

ID7738331
AutoresWhitney Dominick (0000-0001-8267-1526, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA, autor de correspondencia), Kanako Taku (0000-0003-1515-7951, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA)
Año2019
Volumen53
Número4
Páginas428-442
Fecha de publicación2019-10-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaCross-Cultural Research (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1069-3971 • E-ISSN: 1552-3578
EditorialSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/1069397118815111
OpenAlexW2903228054
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas1
Referencias citadas17

Research shows that some adolescents experience positive psychological changes resulting from highly stressful life events. Because “positive change” is a value-laden concept, there may be cross-cultural differences in this conception of growth. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively and quantitatively assess different perceptions of personal growth across cultures. Adolescents from Japan ( n = 288, M age = 16.16) and the United States ( n = 155, M age = 16.21) completed demographic information and wrote three words describing their perception of personal growth. Results showed 443 different words generated, which were condensed into 12 categories. The types of words generated differed between nationalities, with Japanese adolescents generating more words related to social connection, and adolescents in the United States generating words related to change. Gender differences were found in physical change and age differences in the knowledge categories. Results demonstrate cross-cultural differences as well as similarities in the conceptualization of personal growth. Future research may examine how adolescents change the meaning of personal growth after experiencing personal growth resulting from a stressful life event

Conceptualization · Developmental psychology · Meaning (existential · Perception · Personal development · Value (mathematics · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Identity, Memory, and Therapy · Psychological and Temporal Perspectives Research · Psychology · Social Psychology