Dimensional assessment of autonomy in middle and late adolescence

• Author: Claudia Salceanu
• Position: Ovidius University of Constansa
• Pages: 37-48

Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşo v

Series VII: Social Sciences • Law • Vol. 12(61) No. 1 – 2019

https://doi.org/10.31926/but.ssl.2019.12.61.1.4.

DIMENSIONAL ASSESSMENT OF AUTONOMY IN

MIDDLE AND LATE ADOLESCENCE1

Claudia SĂLCEANU2

Abstract: One of the most important developmental tasks in adolescence is

the acquirement of autonomy and independence. A sample of 1240

adolescents has been assessed with Personal Autonomy Questionnaire from

Cognitrom Assessment System), regarding 4 dimensions of autonomy: value,

behavioural, cognitive and emotional autonomy. The results show that late

adolescents have a more developed value, behavioural and cognitive

autonomy than middle adolescents, and the urban area residents have a

better developed autonomy in all its dimensions than rural area residents.

No significant differences between male and female were found. Theoretical

and practical implications of the study are discussed.

Keywords: behavioural autonomy, cognitive autonomy, emotional

autonomy, values autonomy, middle and late adolescence

1. Introduction

Chronologically, adolescence is divided into three different stages: 10/11-14/15 years

– puberty or early adolescence, 14/15-18/19 years – middle adolesce nce and 18/19-

24/25 years – late adolescence or emerging adulthood (Adams & Berzonsky, 2009;

Crețu, 2009; Sion, 2007; Verza & Verza 2000; Papalia, Wendkos Old & Feldman, 2010;

Birch, 2000). Early adolescence is the first stage of adolescence and it is mainly

characterized by the physical transformations of the human body reaching maturity.

Middle adolescence faces the evolution of the psychological and social dimensions of

personality and the attempt of a teenager to discover and to accept himself. Late

adolescence is a relatively steady period, in which all previous acquisitions are

consolidated.

So, all the physical, psychological and social changes that take place in adolescence

represent the main developmental tasks that an individual has to resolve in order to

become an adult. One such task, of central importance, is gaining autonomy and

independence.

Autonomy is a key-element of adolescent identity, as well as an indicator of

1 Paper presented at the International Conference “Contemporary Perspectives in Psychology, Education

and Social Work” – 3rd edition (COPES 2019), Constanța, 24-26 May 2019

2 Ovidius University of Constanța, claudiasalceanu@yahoo.com