A special issue of the Journal of Early Adolescence has been prepared to address theoretical and research issues concerning identity formation during early adolescence. The issue has been designed to help direct and stimulate interest in research on identity formation during early adolescence. In these introductory comments the major tenets of Erikson's psychosocial theory of identity formation are outlined, the contribution of each Special Issue author is highlighted, and shortcomings to the general research area of identity development are reviewed.
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