“Societal and Environmental Factors and Its Impact to the
Development of Individuality and Identity of
Adolescents in Cavite”
i
DEDICATION
The researcher would like to thank the God above
for the strength, wisdom, and courage to continue this
battle. Without his help, guidance, and protection, this will
not be successful.
The researcher is also grateful to the professors
that guides them, their guidance greatly help the
researcher to gain new knowledge that contributes to the
success of this study since their opinion and knowledge
helps the researcher to make this study successful.
Lastly, to the respondents who agree to be part of
this study and to the time that they give to answer the
survey questionnaire made this research possible. Without
them, this study will not be finished and even successful.
-Jamaica Q. Maga
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ii
Title
page
Dedication ...................................................................... i
Table of Contents .......................................................... ii
Introduction .................................................................... 1
Comprehensive Research Literature ............................. 5
Conceptual Framework ................................................. 14
Research Paradigm ...................................................... 16
Statement of the Problem .............................................. 18
Research Deign and Sampling Scheme ........................ 23
Results and Discussion ................................................. 00
Conclusions ...................................................................00
Recommendations .........................................................00
References ................................................................... 32
Appendices ................................................................... 00
“Societal and Environmental Factors and Its Impact to the
Development of Individuality and Identity of
Adolescents in Cavite”
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2
“Societal and Environmental Factors and Its
individuality. The individual is defined or distinguished by
Impact to the Development of Individuality
his or her own distinct personality, interests, habits,
and Identity of Adolescents in Darsmariñas
character characteristics, and experiences. While time
passes by, personality and identity develops; Identity is
Cavite”
formed based on the person’s life experiences or based on
Jamaica Q. Maga
the person’s social life or the people he or she has been in
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
contact with for a long period, their identity makes them
unique and constant even if a person changed their view
Introduction
in life. When a person lose the sense of control they have
Every human being is unique on his or her own way;
in their life they may feel that they are restricted to handle
they have defining characteristics that makes them differ
situations on their life, or their thoughts, their own feelings
from other species. Humans have the ability to think for
and emotions, actions, and they will feel that their control
themselves, they can express their own thought and
over their own behavior and decision making is
feelings in every language they can, and they can make
suppressed (Etelämäki et al., 2021). According to Erik
their own decisions in life. However, humans are different
Erikson’s
from other humans, what made them different is their
Adolescents, or person ages 12 to 18, is in the stage of
Stages
of
Psychosocial
Development,
“Societal and Environmental Factors and Its Impact to the
Development of Individuality and Identity of
Adolescents in Cavite”
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4
Identity vs. Role Confusion; as the adolescents’ transition
of people development, they will also develop their view in
from childhood to teenage year, they will start exploring
life or view towards their self. Teens may think positive or
and develop self-consciousness because of that they may
negative view towards their self, based on how they are
feel confused or they may question their self and their
treated by the society or how they live in their environment.
existence to society. This phase or stage of development
Just like in the statistical data, 95% of teens feels inferior,
is essential for a person to develop a strong identity which
may be because the people around them treats as if they
can help the person to have or develop a strong sense of
cannot achieve the same thing other people had like
direction in life, which will not waver, and unchangeable
success or achievement (Mukherjee, 2022).
whatever crisis develops (Cherry, 2022)
As the person reach the stage of adolescence, a
person can experience problem with his or her identity.
Based on the study, 37% of teenagers were struggling with
their identity and 95% of teens are reported that they have
all experienced feelings of inferiority at some point in their
lives. Identity made up our individuality and identity is
formed during the stage of adolescence, during the years
This study will be beneficial to society, adolescents,
and family as a revelation in general and this study aims
to decrease the number of adolescents that experiences
role confusion. Therefore, this study will have 100
respondents that focuses on adolescents, ages 12-18,
living in Cavite specifically, Dasmariñas.
“Societal and Environmental Factors and Its Impact to the
Development of Individuality and Identity of
Adolescents in Cavite”
5
Comprehensive Research Literature
6
adolescents adjust for their upcoming role; they will seek
According to Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial
independency, think about what they want to be when they
development, people are developing continuously from
reach adulthood, plan their life, interact and socialize to
infant to adulthood; there are eight stages of psychosocial
their peers, to feel a sense of belongingness in society.
development, each stages have a developmental task
During adolescence period, adolescents are full of
such as trust vs. mistrust, autonomy vs. shame/doubt,
curiosities that they will start exploring the reality of life and
initiative vs. guilt, industry vs. inferiority, identity vs.
by that time, they will begin to establish their own identity
confusion,
vs.
based on the lessons they earned from their explorations.
stagnation, and integrity vs. despair. This study focuses on
However, if they are still clueless about their plan in life, or
identity vs. confusion of Erikson, which he stated that this
if they failed to know what they want to do in their future,
stage starts at 12-18 years old, during adolescent period.
then there will be a role confusion since they failed to form
This stage is an essential transition from being a child to
their identity. Role confusion can also regard as identity
being adult since during childhood, children are taught
crisis where an adolescent explore different lifestyles in
about morals, how they should act when they became
order to find out their identity; they may start working, be
adult, or anything about the roles they need to fulfill when
involved in political activities, tried anything that peek their
they reach adulthood. This transition is about how the
interest, or any lifestyle that is convenient for them.
intimacy
vs.
isolation,
generativity
“Societal and Environmental Factors and Its Impact to the
Development of Individuality and Identity of
Adolescents in Cavite”
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7
However, if the adolescent is forced or pressured to an
they are still young and do not know what they are doing.
identity, it will affect them negatively; the adolescent may
Pfeifer & Berkman (2018) also stated that, adolescence is
be rebellious and may feel unhappiness if the identity was
the most essential stage for the development of a person
forced (Mcleod, 2023).
since in this stage, they are growing and forming their
Adolescents and children are different from each
other in terms of physical, cognition, and socioemotional
factor; adolescents are more advanced than the ages
below adolescents (Pfeifer & Berkman, 2018). However, in
adolescent age they are still developing and exploring
therefore, they are seen as the risk takers, self-centered,
and easily influenced by their environment which is the
social pressure; this results in behavior that contradict
adult values and standards. An example according to
identity, this includes their life commitments, goals in life,
motivation, and their psychosocial well-being. Since they
are still groping the reality and life, adolescents need the
guidance or the autonomy of other people specifically,
their parents since, they are the closest person in their life.
The adolescence are still exploring therefore, they also
seek autonomy to society in forming their identity and the
needs for them to make a strong connection with other
people.
(Allen & Waterman, 2019) is adolescents are arguing with
There are various factors that is found to have an
their parents because they want to be independent which
impact
to
physical
activity
among
the
teenager
is for the parent, their behavior is inappropriate because
transitioning from elementary to secondary school; those
“Societal and Environmental Factors and Its Impact to the
Development of Individuality and Identity of
Adolescents in Cavite”
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10
factors have different effect to those factors. Those factors
lifestyle seems to worsened during recession. It has a
are (1) School factors, such as academic expectations
damaging effect on life satisfaction, smoking, and eating
influenced the physical activity of adolescent, (2) Familiar
habits, a person tends to skip breakfast when experiencing
factors affects the activeness of an adolescence in school,
economic crisis. However, it can be controlled or improved
it also affect the independent mobility of the adolescent,
when their environment such as school, social circles, and
(3) Social Factors that includes friend co-participation,
families protect them from detrimental effects of economic
peer validation, fitting in with older peers, and social
crisis (Zozaya & Vallejo, 2020).
norms, also affects the adolescent. (4) Intrapersonal
factors influenced their skills, aptitude, motivation, identity,
and desire to form or maintain a social relationships,
interest and preferences (McGaughey et al., 2020).
Every student is a different individual they have
different characteristics that made them unique from each
other. Every students has different physical structures,
they have different wisdom and knowledge capacity,
Economic crisis increases rate of unemployment
talents, interest, perception, skills, sexual orientation,
and is proven to affect every individual and it may affect
learning style, and even traits that defines their personality.
the health and wellbeing of an individual. Economic crisis
Teachers needs to use more than one teaching approach
affect not only adults but also the adolescent’s health
to ensure that every student is learning because every
status and their lifestyle, adolescents’ health status and
“Societal and Environmental Factors and Its Impact to the
Development of Individuality and Identity of
Adolescents in Cavite”
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student is different therefore, learning style is different to
every student (Kubat, 2018).
Formation of identity starts at adolescence period,
this period will be the most essential for the adolescent
since they are starting to seek independence, and
changes usually happens during this period. Identity is
what describes or define a person as an individual, it acts
as an internal organizer of the self since it organizes or
keep our beliefs, belief system, skills, talents, and anything
about the self, in place.
If the adolescent found their
identity, they can enhance their way of thinking and
behavior. If an adolescence is more advance and
knowledgeable about their identity, they will attain much
more achievement because if an individual know who they
are they will not be swayed by other factors (Saadatmehr
et al., 2019).
Bronfenbrenner’s
Ecological
Systems
12
theory
consisted five systems that can influence a developing
child; each system contains either societal factors or
environmental factors or both. The first system is the
microsystem, the most influential system, the factors such
as family, school, peers, neighborhood playground,
daycare
facility,
religious
organization,
and
health
services, can directly affect the child since they have a
direct relationship or connection and those factors can
influence the child on how they should act and what belief
they should believe in. The second system is the
mesosytem where the child’s microsystem interact with
each other for instance, a family member’s death greatly
affect the academic performance of the child in school like,
from great academic performance to poor academic
performance. Exosystem is the third system in this theory
“Societal and Environmental Factors and Its Impact to the
Development of Individuality and Identity of
Adolescents in Cavite”
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where the environment indirectly affect and influence the
14
Conceptual Framework
child even though the child has no direct involvement to
factors such as mass media, social services and health
care, parent’s economic situation, extended family and
neighbors, school board, and government agencies. The
next system is the macrosystem whereas the established
society and culture where the child lives affect how the
child may develop; socioeconomic status, ethnicity,
Figure 1. Identity and Individuality Development
geographic location, and culture is the factor that affects
Framework
the development of the child. The final system in this
theory is called chronosystem, chronosystem is talking
about lifetime effect to a child that happens due to major
transition in their life like parent’s divorce, or there are
environmental changes such as pandemic that causes an
impact on child’s development (Evans, 2023).
This conceptual framework consist of societal and
environmental factors shows the factors that influences
the identity formation of a developing adolescent. There
are factors affecting the development of adolescent’s
individuality and identity, societal and environmental
factors. Societal factors such as mass media (TV, Internet,
Magazine, Newspaper, and Radio), School, Family,
“Societal and Environmental Factors and Its Impact to the
Development of Individuality and Identity of
Adolescents in Cavite”
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18
16
Peers, and Religious Organization can affect adolescence
childhood to adulthood. The individual gathers all the
since adolescence directly interact with the said societal
experiences they gain from childhood and aims to find their
factors frequently. Aside from societal factors, there are
identity during adolescence for them to fulfill the roles in
also
adulthood; failure to find the identity will result in role
environmental
neighborhood,
factors
that
socioeconomic
consists
status,
of
the
ethnicity,
environmental changes such as sudden change in family
confusion.
Research Paradigm
structure, and adapting to changes caused by the
pandemic. Those factors may affect the identity formation
of positively or negatively, if the identity is affected then the
individuality will also be affected; the identity that was
formed in adolescence stage will be the one that defines
an individual. This study is based on Bronfenbrenner’s
Ecological System Theory, where the different system that
consist of different factors directly and indirectly influence
Figure 2. Paradigm of Societal and Environmental
the development of a child, which can be applied to this
Factors and Its Impact to the Development of
study since adolescence, is the period of transitioning from
Individuality and Identity of Adolescents
“Societal and Environmental Factors and Its Impact to the
Development of Individuality and Identity of
Adolescents in Cavite”
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Figure 1 shows the different factors that may
18
Statement of the Problem
contribute to the development of the identity and
There are Societal and Environmental Factors that
individuality of an adolescent. In figure 2, the input will
may affect the identity and individuality formation of
display the age, gender, culture, and economic profile of
adolescents positively and negatively. Therefore, this
the respondents, which may help the researcher to find out
study aims to answer the following questions:
which age, gender, societal status, of an adolescence is
more affected by the societal and environmental factors.
The input will be processed using qualitative
1. What is the demographic profile of the respondents
in terms of:
a. Age
approach; the researcher will conduct an interview to the
b. Gender
respondent, which will be interpreted after data gathering.
c. Household income
It is expected to reach a conclusion how societal and
d. Education level
environmental
factors
affect
adolescents’
sexual
orientation, values, personality, dreams, principles, norms,
e. Ethnicity
2. Which of the following is the most affected by
and behavior. Understanding those things that makes up
societal and environmental factors?
the identity can help the adults how to properly treat the
a. Sexual Orientation
adolescents for them to have a healthy development.
b. Values
“Societal and Environmental Factors and Its Impact to the
Development of Individuality and Identity of
Adolescents in Cavite”
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19
c. Personality
b. Family structure
d. Norms
c. Socioeconomic status
e. Behavior
d. Ethnicity
f.
e. Pandemic
Academic Performance
3. Which of the following societal factors has positive
5. Based on the findings, which of the following factors
and negative impact on individuality and identity
has a greater impact in the development of identity
development in adolescents?
and individuality among adolescents
a. Mass media
a. Mass media
b. School
b. School
c. Family
c. Family
d. Peers
d. Peers
e. Religious Organization
e. Religious Organization
4. Which of the following environmental factors has
f.
Parent’s economic situation
positive and negative impact on individuality and
g. Neighborhood
identity development in adolescents?
h. Family structure
a. Neighborhood
i.
Socioeconomic status
“Societal and Environmental Factors and Its Impact to the
Development of Individuality and Identity of
Adolescents in Cavite”
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21
j.
Ethnicity
Significance of the Study
k. Pandemic
This study entitled “Societal and Environmental
Scope and Limitation
Factors and Its Impact to the Development of Individuality
This study will focus on adolescents ages 12-18
and Identity of Adolescents in Cavite” aims to benefit the
years old since according to Erik Erikson’s theory of
following:
psychosocial
of
Society. This study is essential to conduct since this study
development adolescents is starting to find their own
can be an eye opener for the society that is not aware
identity, they are exploring the value and beliefs that they
about their actions that influence on the development of
can apply to their selves, and also they are building their
individuality and identity of an adolescent. It also aims for
goal in life (Mcleod, 2023). The researcher will pick 100
the society to not judge the actions conducted by
random adolescents, as the respondent of this study, in
adolescent’s there are reason why they are behaving the
different communities in Dasmariñas, Cavite. This study
way that they do.
development,
during
this
stage
will not focus on the specific impact of the society and
environmental factors to adolescent but this study will
identify if those effect negatively or positively influence the
adolescent.
Adolescents. This study will be beneficial to adolescents
since this study aims to decrease identity crisis and for
them to know the factors that affects their identity
“Societal and Environmental Factors and Its Impact to the
Development of Individuality and Identity of
Adolescents in Cavite”
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24
formation. They will be aware how those factors affect
interpretations, this will provide precision and accuracy in
them, if the factors affect them negatively then they will be
the analysis.
aware why are they behaving like that.
This study uses causal-comparative research; this
Family. This study can also help to figure out how to
approach, treat, and guide the adolescence since in this
stage the adolescence are still exploring in life and they
research design is a non-experimental research design
that will help the researcher to identify the cause-effect
relationship between the variables. Since the goal of this
study is to identify the impact of each factor to adolescents
need guidance from adults.
in terms of sexual orientation, values, personality, norms,
Research Design and Sampling Scheme
and behavior, which may affect the development of identity
This study uses quantitative research as a research
approach. This study will be dealt using numerical and
statistical
analysis
to
measure
and
evaluate
and individuality of adolescents.
Cluster sampling will be used as a sampling
the
technique in this study. The researcher will choose the
relationships between variables. The data that will be
respondent by dividing the population into sections that will
collected must be structured and objective and the finding
represent the entire population. The researcher will divide
will be based on statistical analysis rather than subjective
the population based on the age and location of the
“Societal and Environmental Factors and Its Impact to the
Development of Individuality and Identity of
Adolescents in Cavite”
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26
respondent; only age 12-18 people that lives in
side of each statement. This survey will be kept strictly
Dasmariñas Cavite will be chosen as the respondents.
confidential.
The tool and instrument the will be used in this
study
is
a
survey
questionnaire
with
self-made
questionnaire. The researcher will use a Likert scale to
obtain the respondent’s attitudes and opinions with
SCALE:
5
4
3
2
1
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Always manifested
Often manifested
Sometimes manifested
Rarely manifested
Never manifested
intensity by making them use a one-point to five-point
scale. The panel members will validate the questionnaire
before starting the survey.
Survey Questionnaire
Name (Optional):
Age:
Household Income:
Gender:
Educational level:
Ethnicity:
DIRECTIONS: For each statement in the survey, pleas
indicate how much you agree or disagree with each
statement by putting a check (✔) in the box on the right
A. SOCIETAL FACTORS
Mass Media
The media strongly impact my
sense of identity and
individuality
I cannot sense my identity and
individuality when using social
media*
I spend most of my time using
media platforms
I rather not use media is not
necessary due to its negative
impact on my perception about
myself*
Media platforms has a positive
impact on my sense of identity
and individuality
5
4
3
2
1
“Societal and Environmental Factors and Its Impact to the
Development of Individuality and Identity of
Adolescents in Cavite”
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27
School
I always apply the norms and
values I learned from school
My family negatively impact my
sense of identity and
individuality*
My family positively impact my
sense of identity and
individuality
Attending to school does not
help me shape my behavior
and personality*
School strongly impact my
sense of identity and
individuality
Family
Family problems affects my
academic performance
negatively*
My family’s guidance helped
me figure out my identity and
individuality
I adapted the positive
behavior, habit, and
characteristics of my family
My family negatively impact my
sense of identity and
individuality*
My family strongly impact my
sense of identity and
individuality
Peers
My peers has positive
influence on my academic
performance
My peers negatively impact my
sense of identity and
individuality*
I sense a feeling of individuality
when I’m with my peers
I based my personality based
on peer pressure*
My peers strongly impact my
sense of identity and
individuality
Religious Organization
Religious organizations
strongly impact my sense of
identity and individuality
Religious organizations
negatively impact my sense of
identity and individuality*
Religious organizations
positively impact my sense of
identity and individuality
I attend to church not because
of my own accord*
Attending to church helped me
shape my values, personality,
and behavior
“Societal and Environmental Factors and Its Impact to the
Development of Individuality and Identity of
Adolescents in Cavite”
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29
B. ENVIRONMENTAL
Neighborhood
My neighborhood strongly affect
my sense of identity and
individuality
My neighborhood negatively
affect my sense of identity and
individuality*
My neighborhood positively
affect my sense of identity and
individuality
Being in my neighborhood
made me conscious about my
actions*
Being in my neighborhood
made me comfortable and
increases my self-esteem
Family Structure
Major life changes (parental
separation, moving into a new
place, changing school,
traumatic event) strongly impact
my sense of individuality and
identity
These changes negatively
impact my behavior, academic
performance, and personality*
I adjusted well after
experiencing major life
transition
5
4
3
2
1
My current family structure
affect my sense of individuality
and identity negatively
My current family structure
positively affect my sense of
identity and individuality
Socioeconomic status
Going to school made me
insecure due to my financial
status*
My socioeconomic status
strongly affect my sense of
identity and individuality
My socioeconomic status
(financial status) increases my
neuroticism (negative emotions)
and decreases my
conscientiousness*
My socioeconomic status
positively affect my sense of
identity and individuality
My relationship with other
people is affected by my
socioeconomic status*
Ethnicity
My ethnicity strongly impact my
sense of identity and
individuality
I experienced discrimination
due to my ethnicity and gender/
sexual orientation*
“Societal and Environmental Factors and Its Impact to the
Development of Individuality and Identity of
Adolescents in Cavite”
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My culture helps me build my
own values, beliefs, and
personality
Discrimination negatively impact
my sense of identity and
individuality*
I am helping other people who
experiences discrimination
Pandemic
Pandemic strongly impact my
sense of identity and
individuality
Lockdowns made me reflect
and find my identity and
individuality
I lost my sense of identity and
individuality during pandemic
My character improved during
pandemic
Pandemic negatively impact my
personality, it made me
anxious, less extroverted,
creative and it causes me stress
31
“Societal and Environmental Factors and Its Impact to the
Development of Individuality and Identity of
Adolescents in Cavite”
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