Identity formation among isiXhosa-speaking adolescents in a rural Eastern Cape community in South Africa: A brief report

The study investigated identity-related choices practised among South African isiXhosa-speaking adolescents from a rural Eastern Cape community. A sample of 40 adolescents (65% females; age range 15 and 21 years) participated in the study. The adolescents completed an identity statuses interview schedule in relation to the domains of occupation, religion, and politics; as well as on sexuality. The data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics by identity dimension. Findings indicate the commitment identity statuses are significant for the adolescents in their decision-making. Active exploration was infrequently endorsed. Female adolescents endorsed the identity achievement status for the career domain more than did their male peers. A high proportion of males endorsed to hold pro-premarital sex identity compared to females. Identity-related decision-making was similar for both genders in their endorsement of identity-related decision-making processes.