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Autonomy in adolescence : a conceptual, developmental and cross-cultural perspective

Wim Beyers (UGent) , Bart Soenens (UGent) and Maarten Vansteenkiste (UGent)
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Abstract
This paper provides an overview of autonomy development during adolescence. Autonomy, inspired by the Separation-Individuation Theory of Peter Blos, was initially framed as autonomy-as-independence. However, as debates in the literature arose regarding the interpretation of autonomy in adolescence, often referred to as the detachment debate, it became evident that a distinction is needed between autonomy-as-independence and autonomy-as-volitional functioning, the latter definition coming from Self-Determination Theory of Ryan and Deci). This paper defines both facets of autonomy in adolescence and reviews a line of research on their developmental trajectories, the cross-cultural interpretations of autonomy, and the role parents play in nurturing adolescent autonomy. This review provides further evidence for the two-dimensional nature of autonomy in adolescence. This distinction between independence and volition carries significant implications for how autonomy is perceived in relation to adolescents' psychosocial adjustment and development. It also influences our understanding of how micro-contexts, such as parents and macro-contexts, including cultural factors, can shape adolescent autonomy. It is our hope that this paper contributes to the clarification of the autonomy concept and serves as an inspiration for young researchers to pursue further investigations into this vital subject.
Keywords
SELF-DETERMINATION THEORY, FAMILY DECISION-MAKING, EMOTIONAL AUTONOMY, SEPARATION-INDIVIDUATION, PSYCHOLOGICAL CONTROL, NEED SATISFACTION, UNITED-STATES, INDEPENDENCE, ADULTHOOD, PARENTS, Autonomy, adolescence, development, conceptual, cross-cultural

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MLA
Beyers, Wim, et al. “Autonomy in Adolescence : A Conceptual, Developmental and Cross-Cultural Perspective.” EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY, vol. 22, no. 2, 2025, pp. 121–41, doi:10.1080/17405629.2024.2330734.
APA
Beyers, W., Soenens, B., & Vansteenkiste, M. (2025). Autonomy in adolescence : a conceptual, developmental and cross-cultural perspective. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY, 22(2), 121–141. https://doi.org/10.1080/17405629.2024.2330734
Chicago author-date
Beyers, Wim, Bart Soenens, and Maarten Vansteenkiste. 2025. “Autonomy in Adolescence : A Conceptual, Developmental and Cross-Cultural Perspective.” EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 22 (2): 121–41. https://doi.org/10.1080/17405629.2024.2330734.
Chicago author-date (all authors)
Beyers, Wim, Bart Soenens, and Maarten Vansteenkiste. 2025. “Autonomy in Adolescence : A Conceptual, Developmental and Cross-Cultural Perspective.” EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 22 (2): 121–141. doi:10.1080/17405629.2024.2330734.
Vancouver
1.
Beyers W, Soenens B, Vansteenkiste M. Autonomy in adolescence : a conceptual, developmental and cross-cultural perspective. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY. 2025;22(2):121–41.
IEEE
[1]
W. Beyers, B. Soenens, and M. Vansteenkiste, “Autonomy in adolescence : a conceptual, developmental and cross-cultural perspective,” EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 121–141, 2025.
@article{01HTM618TXZ27FFZ8W3NY97KE7,
  abstract     = {{This paper provides an overview of autonomy development during adolescence. Autonomy, inspired by the Separation-Individuation Theory of Peter Blos, was initially framed as autonomy-as-independence. However, as debates in the literature arose regarding the interpretation of autonomy in adolescence, often referred to as the detachment debate, it became evident that a distinction is needed between autonomy-as-independence and autonomy-as-volitional functioning, the latter definition coming from Self-Determination Theory of Ryan and Deci). This paper defines both facets of autonomy in adolescence and reviews a line of research on their developmental trajectories, the cross-cultural interpretations of autonomy, and the role parents play in nurturing adolescent autonomy. This review provides further evidence for the two-dimensional nature of autonomy in adolescence. This distinction between independence and volition carries significant implications for how autonomy is perceived in relation to adolescents' psychosocial adjustment and development. It also influences our understanding of how micro-contexts, such as parents and macro-contexts, including cultural factors, can shape adolescent autonomy. It is our hope that this paper contributes to the clarification of the autonomy concept and serves as an inspiration for young researchers to pursue further investigations into this vital subject.}},
  author       = {{Beyers, Wim and Soenens, Bart and Vansteenkiste, Maarten}},
  issn         = {{1740-5629}},
  journal      = {{EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY}},
  keywords     = {{SELF-DETERMINATION THEORY,FAMILY DECISION-MAKING,EMOTIONAL AUTONOMY,SEPARATION-INDIVIDUATION,PSYCHOLOGICAL CONTROL,NEED SATISFACTION,UNITED-STATES,INDEPENDENCE,ADULTHOOD,PARENTS,Autonomy,adolescence,development,conceptual,cross-cultural}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{2}},
  pages        = {{121--141}},
  title        = {{Autonomy in adolescence : a conceptual, developmental and cross-cultural perspective}},
  url          = {{http://doi.org/10.1080/17405629.2024.2330734}},
  volume       = {{22}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}

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