Abstract
Identity development plays a crucial role in the rehabilitation of adolescents with mental disorders. Understanding the key factors influencing self-identity during adolescence can enhance rehabilitation strategies, especially in the context of mental health recovery.
This study employed a 4-year longitudinal qualitative research design, involving in-depth interviews conducted from 2020 to 2024. The study explored the dynamics of identity development and identified critical factors at different developmental stages. Data analysis utilised constructivist grounded theory and longitudinal comparative analysis. A total of 10 adolescents with mental disorders participated in the study.
The results revealed five key factors influencing identity development: (1) struggling with back-to-school adjustment, (2) perceiving stress, (3) strengthening and growing positive social support networks, (4) embracing self-acceptance and adapting to future expectations and (5) building resilience and toughness. Over time, adolescents showed a positive developmental trajectory in self-identity, supporting the previously established notion of the nonlinear nature of identity development.
The study emphasises the importance of collaborative efforts between family and school in supporting adolescents' rehabilitation. It advocates for long-term, individualised strategies that adapt to the evolving self-identity needs of adolescents at different developmental stages. The focus should be on cultivating resilience and providing appropriate support to foster a stable and positive sense of self.