DEVELOPMENTAL CRISIS IN EARLY ADULTHOOD: A ...

intrinsically motivated activities and a growing capacity to reflect on the self and on
the effects of actions. Phase 4 represents consolidation in new roles and relationships,
as an authentic, less persona-based life structure is adopted and a more balanced
gender identity is found. In Chapter 9, this integration of developmental themes with
the phase model will be taken further, in order to present a conjectural model of crisis
that takes into account all empirical work from this thesis.
Evaluation and Limitations of Study 2
As with Study 1, the data of Study 2 required new constructs to aid in their full
and parsimonious interpretation. Issues of materialism, gender identity and persona
were central to understanding this case study but were given little consideration in the
literature review and so were briefly reviewed during this chapter. These
developments demonstrate that the study’s interpretive structures were open to
accommodating new data, insights and concepts as the thesis progressed.
The data collection strategy in Study 2 involved two interviews and a
discursive email exchange in order to develop a more detailed picture of crisis and
development within a single case. While this strategy did indeed manage to gain
deeper information than was achieved on each individual in Study 1, there was still
much scope for added depth and alternative forms of data collection. Another
interview would have been useful, however circumstances did not permit it – Guy had
to leave for America after the second interview. It would also have been informative
to have spoken to third parties in Guy’s crisis, such as his ex-wife or ex-colleagues, in
order to compare their perspectives on the episode. This would have been a way of
assessing the inter-subjective validity of his memories, as well as potentially
unearthing important pieces of extra information.
The depth of material that is gained in case-study brings invaluable data into
an empirical investigation such as this thesis. The case-study method is not merely an
illustrative or descriptive tool, but is also a way of developing and refining theory.
Analysis of this case has provided theoretical insights that add subtlety and depth to
prior findings, as well as suggesting directions and aims for Study 3.
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