The configuration and validation of psychosocial model of identity of Iranian male adolescents: A narrative study

There is numerous evidence showing the fundamental behavioral changes in Iranian adolescents. These changes can probably be attributed to their identity issues. The aim of this study was to identify and validate the psychosocial model of Iranian adolescents' identity and determine its probable relationship with their behavioral changes.

The approach of this study was mixed. The narrative research was used in the qualitative phase and the correlation method was used in the quantitative phase. In the qualitative phase, the population consisted of male adolescents aged 15-20 years old, as well as psychologists and sociologists in Tehran in 2020. Nineteen adolescents were selected by volunteer sampling and six specialists by purposive sampling. In the quantitative phase, the population consisted of adolescents aged 15-20 years old in Tehran in 2020, from which 218 people were selected by volunteer sampling. In the qualitative phase, data were collected through the life story interview (McAdams, 1995) and in the quantitative phase by a researcher-made questionnaire. In the qualitative phase, data were analyzed through the content analysis method and in the quantitative phase through the confirmatory factor analysis.

The results of content analysis as well as factor analysis indicated the master-narrative model of adolescents includes components such as family belonging, adherence to religious values and obedience to parents, and the counter-narrative model includes the voluntary lifestyle, sense of uniqueness, independence-seeking and competitiveness.

behavioral changes of Iranian male adolescents can be attributed to two main factors: 1- Conflict between some components of their counter-narrative and master-narrative 2- The relatively extreme status of some components of their narratives.