The generation of youth without work: transitions to adolthood in conditions of precariousness, unemployment and underemployment

Journal title RICERCHE DI PSICOLOGIA
Author/s Sestito Laura Aleni, Luigia Simona Sica, Maria Nasti
Publishing Year 2014 Issue 2013/3
Language Italian Pages 33 P. 411-443 File size 1853 KB
DOI 10.3280/RIP2013-003002
DOI is like a bar code for intellectual property: to have more infomation click here

Below, you can see the article first page

If you want to buy this article in PDF format, you can do it, following the instructions to buy download credits

Article preview

FrancoAngeli is member of Publishers International Linking Association, Inc (PILA), a not-for-profit association which run the CrossRef service enabling links to and from online scholarly content.

The study focuses on the consolidation processes of both personal and professional identity, in a group of Italian emerging adults, marginal referring to the labour market for job insecurity, unemployment and underemployment. The study focuses on narrative identity, in particular on future orientation, identity distress and identity capital. 80 autobiographical stories of young people on different placement of the labour market (Full-time, Part-time, Independent Workers, Unemployed) were analysed through categorical analysis of textual content. The results show, in line with the hypothesis, an effect of the type of job placement on the identity formation, and they define profiles differentiated in function of the analysed dimensions. Furthermore, the results show that majority of participants, although emerging adults, didn’t achieved identity definition and stay in moratorium.

Keywords: Precariousness, personal and professional identity, emerging adulthood, identity capital.

  1. Aleni Sestito, L., & Sica, L.S. (2010). Uncertainty and disturbance? Emotional dimensions of the redefinition of identity in emerging adults. The 12th Biennial Conference of the European Association for Research on Adolescence, Medimond – Monduzzi Editore International Proceedings Division, 2010, 71-75.
  2. Aleni Sestito, L., Sica, L.S., & Nasti, M. (2009). “Sentire, ricordare, dare senso, volere…” Dimensioni emotive e temi di sviluppo dell’identita narrativa dei giovani in transizione dalla scuola all’universita. Psicologia Scolastica, 8(1), 57- 86.
  3. Aleni Sestito, L., Sica, L.S., & Ragozini, G. (2011). I primi anni dell’università: processi di definizione dell’identita tra confusione e consolidamento. Giornale di Psicologia dello Sviluppo, 99, 20-33.
  4. Arnett, J.J. (2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American Psychologist, 55, 469-480.
  5. Arnett, J.J. (2006). Emerging adulthood: The winding road from the late teens through the twenties. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
  6. Arnett, J.J. (2007). Suffering, selfish, slackers? Myths and reality about emerging adults. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 36, 23-29. DOI: 10.1007/s10964-006-9157-z
  7. Bauer, J.J., & McAdams, D.P. (2004). Personal growth in adults-stories of voluntary life transitions. Journal of Personality, 72, 573-602.
  8. Bauman, Z. (1998). Globalization: The Human Consequences. New York: Columbia University Press.
  9. Berman, S.L., Montgomery, M.J., & Kurtines, W.M. (2004). The development and validation of a measure of identity distress. Identity: An International Journal of Theory and Research, 4, 1-8.
  10. Berzonsky, M.D. (2003). Identity style and well-being: does commitment matter? Identity: An International Journal of Theory and Research, 3, 131-142.
  11. Bosma, H.A., & Kunnen, E.S. (2001). Determinants and mechanisms in ego identity development: A review and synthesis. Developmental Review, 21, 39-66. DOI: 10.1006/drev.2000.0514
  12. Brandtstadter, J., Wentura, D., & Rothermund, K. (1999). Intentional self-development through adulthood and later life: Tenacious pursuit and flexible adjustment of goals. In J. Brandtstadter & R.M. Lerner (Eds.), Action and self-development: Theory and research through the life-span. Thousand Oaks, CA, S. 373-400.
  13. Bruner, J.S. (1986). Actual minds, possible world. Cambridge, MA & London: Harvard University Press.
  14. Bruner, J.S. (1990). Acts of meaning. Cambridge, MA & London: Harvard University Press.
  15. Bruner, J.S. (1991). The narrative construction of reality. Critical Inquiry, 17, 1-21.
  16. Cantor, N., & Kihlstrom, J.F. (1987). Personality and social intelligence. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Erlbaum.
  17. Cavalli, A., & Galland, O.(Eds.) (1993). L’allongement de la jeunesse. Poitiers: Actes Sud.
  18. Cnel (2010). Rapporto sul mercato del lavoro 2009-2010, luglio.
  19. Cote, J.E. (1997). An empirical test of the identity capital model. Journal of Adolescence, 20, 577-597. DOI: 10.1006/jado.1997.0111
  20. Cote, J.E. (2002). The role of identity capital in the transition to adulthood: The individualization thesis examined. Journal of Youth Studies, 5, 117-134. DOI: 10.1177/0044118X05275965
  21. Cote, J.E., & Bynner, J.M. (2008). Changes in the transition to adulthood in the UK and Canada: The role of structure and agency in emerging adulthood. Journal of Youth Studies, 11, 251-268.
  22. Coté, J.E., & Levine, C.G. (2002). Identity formation, agency, and culture: A social psychological synthesis. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
  23. Coté, J.E., & Schwartz, S.J. (2002). Comparing psychological and sociological approaches to identity: Identity status, identity capital, and the individualization process. Journal of Adolescence, 25, 571-586. DOI: 10.1006/jado.2002.051
  24. Crocetti, E., Luyckx, K., Scrignaro, M., & Sica, L.S. (2011). Identity formation in Italian emerging adults: A cluster-analytic approach and associations with psychosocial functioning. European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 8, 558-572. DOI: 10.1080/17405629.2011.576858
  25. Crocetti, E., & Palmonari, A. (2011). Le fasi adolescenziali e giovanili nello sviluppo individuale. In A. Palmonari (a cura di), Psicologia dell’adolescenza (Terza Edizione) (pp. 53-66). Bologna: il Mulino.
  26. Crocetti, E., Rubini, M., Luyckx, K., & Meeus, W. (2008). Identity formation in early and middle adolescents from various ethnic groups: From three dimensions to five statuses. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 37, 983-996. DOI: 10.1007/s10964-007-9222-2
  27. Crocetti, E., Scrignaro, M., Sica, L.S., & Magrin, M.E. (2012). Correlates of identity configurations: Three studies with adolescent and emerging adult cohorts. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 41, 732-748. DOI: 10.1007/s10964-011-9702-2
  28. Deci, E.L., Ryan, R.M., Gagne, M., Leone, D.R., Usunov, J., & Kornazheva, B.P. (2001). Need satisfaction, motivation, and well-being in the work organizations of a former eastern bloc country. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 27, 930-942.
  29. du Bois-Reymond, M., & Chisholm, L. (2006). Young Europeans in a changing world. New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development, 2006, 1-9.
  30. Erikson, E.H. (1968). Identity: Youth, and crisis. New York: Norton.
  31. Fivush, R., & Nelson, K. (2004). Culture and language in the emergence of autobiographical memory. Psychological Science, 15, 586-590. DOI: 10.1111/j.0956-7976.2004.00722.x
  32. Giddens, A. (1991). The Consequences of Modernity. Cambridge: Polity Press.
  33. Grotevant, H.D. (1987), Toward a process model of identity formation. Journal of Adolescent Research, 2(3), 203-222.
  34. Havighurst, R.J. (1953). Human development and education. New York: Longmans.
  35. Hendry, L.B., & Kloep, M. (2002). Lo sviluppo nel ciclo di vita. Bologna: il Mulino.
  36. Kroger, J. (2004). Identity in adolescence. The balance between self and other. London: Routledge.
  37. Kunnen, S., Sappa, V., Van Geert, P., & Bonica, L. (2008). The shapes of commitment development in emerging adulthood. Journal of Adult Development, 15, 113-131. DOI: 10.1007/s10804-008-9042-y
  38. Larson, R.W. (2011). Positive Development in a Disorderly World. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 21, 317-334. DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-7795.2010.00707.x
  39. Livi Bacci, M. (2008). Avanti giovani, alla riscossa!. Bologna: il Mulino.
  40. Luyckx, K., Goossens, L., & Soenens, B. (2006). A developmental contextual perspective on identity construction in emerging adulthood: Change dynamics in commitment formation and commitment evaluation. Developmental Psychology, 42, 366-380. DOI: 10.1037/0012-1649.42.2.366
  41. Luyckx, K., Lens, W., Smits, I., & Goossens, L. (2010). Time perspective and identity formation: Short-term longitudinal dynamics in college students. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 34(3), 238-247. DOI: 10.1177/0165025409350957
  42. Luyckx, K., Schwartz, S.J., Berzonsky, M.D., Soenens, B., Vansteenkiste, M., Smits, I., et al. (2008). Capturing ruminative exploration: Extending the fourdimensional model of identity formation in late adolescence. Journal of Research in Personality, 42, 58-82. DOI: 10.1016/j.jrp.2007.04.004
  43. Mahoney, C.A. (1995). The role of cues, self-efficacy, level of worry, and high-risk behaviors in collegestudent condom use. Journal of Sex Education and Therapy, 21, 103-116.
  44. Marcia, J.E. (1966). Development and validation of ego-identity status. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 3(5), 551-558. DOI: 10.1037/h0023281
  45. Marcia, J.E. (1980). Identity in adolescence. In A. Adelson (Ed.), Handbook of adolescent psychology. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
  46. Marcia, J.E. (1993). The relational roots of identity. In J. Kroger (Ed.), Discussions on ego identity (pp. 101-120). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
  47. Markus, H., & Nurius, P. (1986). Possible selves. American Psychologist, 41, 954-969.
  48. Markus, H., & Nurius, P. (1987). Possible selves: The interface between motivation and self concept. In K. Yardley & T. Honess (Eds.), Self and identity: Psychosocial perspectives. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.
  49. McAdams, D.P. (1993). The stories we live by: Personal myths and the making of the self. New York: William Morrow.
  50. McAdams, D.P. (1996). Personality, modernity, and storied self: a contemporary framework for studying persons. Psychological Inquiry, 7, 295-321.
  51. McAdams, D.P. (2001). The psychology of life stories. Review of General Psychology, 5, 100-122.
  52. McAdams, D.P., Josselson, R., & Lieblich, A. (2001). (Eds), Turns in the road: Narrative studies of lives in transition. Washington, D.C.: APA Press.
  53. McLean, K.C., Breen, A.V., & Fournier, M.A. (2010). Constructing the Self in Early, Middle, and Late Adolescent Boys: Narrative Identity, Individuation, and Well-Being. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 20, 166-187. DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-7795.2009.00633.x
  54. McLean, K.C., & Pratt, M.W. (2006). Life’s little (and big) lessons: Identity statuses and meaning-making in the turning point narratives of emerging adults. Developmental Psychology, 42, 714-722.
  55. Meeus, W., Iedema, J., Maassen, G., & Engels, R. (2005). Separation-individuation revisited: On the interplay of parent-adolescent relations, identity and emotional adjustment in adolescence. Journal of Adolescence, 28, 89-106.
  56. Meeus, W., Iedema, J., Helsen, M., & Vollebergh,W. (1999). Patterns of adolescent development: review of literature and longitudinal analysis. Developmental Review, 19, 419-461. DOI: 10.1006/drev.1999.0483
  57. Meijers, F. (Ed.) (1989). Youngsters on their way. Leiden: Sectie Jongerenstudies en Jeugdbeleid.
  58. Nelson, L.J., & Barry, C.M. (2005). Distinguishing features of emerging adulthood: The role of self-classification as an adult. Journal of Adolescent Research, 20, 242-262. DOI: 10.1177/0743558404273074
  59. Niemiec, C.P., Ryan, R.M., & Deci, E.L. (2009). The path taken: Consequences of attaining intrinsic and extrinsic aspirations in post-college life. Journal of Research in Personality, 43, 291-306. DOI: 10.1016/j.jrp.2008.09.001
  60. Oyserman, D., & Markus, H. (1990a). Possible selves and delinquency. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 59, 112-125.
  61. Oyserman, D., & Markus, H. (1990b). Possible selves in balance: Implications for delinquency. Journal of Social Issues, 42, 141-157.
  62. Reifman, A., Arnett, J.J., & Colwell, M.J. (2007). Emerging adulthood: Theory, assessment, and application. Journal of Youth Development, 2(1).
  63. Richards, L. (2005). Handling Qualitative Data: A Practical Guide, London: Sage.
  64. Savickas, M.L. (2005). The theory and practice of career construction. In S.D. Brown & R.W. Lent (Eds.), Career development and counselling: Putting theory and research to work (pp. 42-70). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
  65. Scabini, E. (1995). Psicologia sociale della famiglia. Torino: Boringhieri.
  66. Scabini, E., & Donati, P. (Eds.) (1988). La famiglia “lunga” del giovane adulto. Milano: Vita e Pensiero.
  67. Schulenberg, J.E., Sameroff, A.J., & Cicchetti, D. (2004). The transition to adulthood as a critical juncture in the course of psychopathology and mental health. Development and Psychopathology, 16, 799-806. DOI: 10.1017/S0954579404040015
  68. Schwartz, S.J. (2007). The structure of identity consolidation: Multiple correlated constructs or one superordinate construct? Identity: An International Journal of Theory and Research, 7, 27-49.
  69. Schwartz, S.J., Cote, J.E., & Arnett, J.J. (2005). Identity and agency in emerging adulthood: Two developmental routes in the individualization process. Youth and Society, 37, 201-229. DOI: 10.1177/0044118X05275965
  70. Schwartz, S.J., Forthun, L.F., Ravert, R.D., Zamboanga, B.L., Rodriguez, L., Umana-Taylor, A.J., Filton, B.J., Kim, S.Y., Rodriguez, L., Weisskirch, R.S., Vernon, M., Shneyderman, Y., Williams, M.K., Agocha, V.B., & Hudson, M. (2010). The protective role of identity consolidation against health risk behaviors in college-attending emerging adults. American Journal of Health Behavior, 34, 214-224.
  71. Schwartz, S.J., Klimstra, T.A., Luyckx, K., Hale, W.W., III, Frijns, T., Oosterwegel, A., van Lier, P.A.C., Koot, H.M., & Meeus, W.H.J. (2011). Daily dynamics of personal identity and self-concept clarity. European Journal of Personality, 25, 373-385. DOI: 10.1002/per.798
  72. Sennett, R. (2006). La cultura del nuovo capitalismo. Bologna: il Mulino.
  73. Serafini, T.E. (2008, March). The Functions of Identity Scale: Validity and testretest reliability. Poster presented at the Biennial Meeting of the Society for Research on Adolescence. Chicago, Illinois.
  74. Sgritta, G.B. (2010). Dentro la crisi. Povertà e processi di impoverimento in tre aree metropolitane. Milano: FrancoAngeli.
  75. Sica, L.S. (2009). Adolescents in different contexts: the exploration of identity through possible selves. Cognition, Brain, Behavior. An Interdisciplinary Journal, XIII(3), 221-252.
  76. Sica, L.S., Crocetti, E., Aleni Sestito, L., & Ragozini, G. (submitted). Future-oriented or immersed in the present? The Role of social support and identity styles on the Future orientation of late adolescents and Emerging adults.
  77. Sica, L.S., Aleni Sestito, L. (2010). “Saro come adesso ma con la barba”: costruzione dell’identita ed esplorazione dei se possibili in adolescenti sottoposti a misura penale. Giornale di Psicologia, 4(2), 184- 203.
  78. Skorikov, V.B., & Vondracek, F.W. (2007). “Vocational identity”. In V.B. Skorikov & W. Patton (Eds.), Career Development in Childhood and Adolescence (pp. 143-168). Rotterdam, The Netherlands: Sense Publishers.
  79. Singer, J.A., & Moffitt, K.H. (1991–1992). An experimental investigation of specificity and generality in memory narratives. Imagination, Cognition and Personality, 11, 233-257.
  80. Smorti, A. (1997). Il Sé come testo. Firenze: Giunti.
  81. Stringer, K.J., & Kerpelman, J.L. (2010). Caree Identity Development in College Students: Decision Making, Parental support, and Work Experience. Identity: an International Journal of Theory and Research,, 10, 181-200.
  82. Stringer, K., & Kerpelman , J.L. (2010). Career identity development in college students: Decision-making, parental support, and work experience. Identity, 10, 181-200.
  83. Thorne, A. (2000). Personal memory telling and personality development. Personality & Social Psychology Review, 4, 45-56.
  84. Waterman, A.S. (1982). Identity development from adolescence to adulthood: an extension of theory and a review of research. Developmental Psychology, 18, 342-358. DOI: 10.1037/0012-1649.18.3.341

  • Raccontarsi ogni giorno: un intervento di orientamento universitario in itinere ispirato all'expressive writing e alla narrative vocational identity Luigia S. Sica, Laura Aleni Sestito, in RICERCHE DI PSICOLOGIA 4/2015 pp.607
    DOI: 10.3280/RIP2014-004005
  • Tra distress e agentività: il difficile percorso di consolidamento identitario nelle narrazioni di giovani adulti inoccupati o precari Simona Luigia Sica, Sestito Laura Aleni, in PSICOLOGIA DELLA SALUTE 1/2016 pp.111
    DOI: 10.3280/PDS2016-001010
  • Career development told through narrative research: exploring the stories of Italian and English young people Tiziana Di Palma, Hazel Reid, in International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance /2019 pp.129
    DOI: 10.1007/s10775-018-9372-7

Sestito Laura Aleni, Luigia Simona Sica, Maria Nasti, La generazione dei giovani senza lavoro: transizioni all’età adulta in condizioni di precarietà, disoccupazione e sottocupazione in "RICERCHE DI PSICOLOGIA " 3/2013, pp 411-443, DOI: 10.3280/RIP2013-003002