A Foundational Framework for Identity Formation
The Imago Dei Framework is the Institute’s foundational model for understanding identity formation. It explains how a secure understanding of who we are shapes the choices we make, the way we relate to others, and the influence we carry into the world. Building on this foundation, the Adolescent Girls Identity Development Framework applies these principles to adolescence, offering a practical approach to nurturing identity during one of life’s most formative seasons.
Identity is not formed in a single moment. It develops over time through the interaction of belief, experience, relationships, culture, and personal reflection. The way people understand who they are gradually shapes how they live, the decisions they make, and the direction they pursue.
The Framework provides a lens for understanding this developmental process. It places identity at the foundation of human development, recognizing that the way we understand who we are influences how we live and the contribution we bring to the world.
Identity formation unfolds through a process of understanding, expression, and influence. The Framework organizes this process into three interconnected levels, showing how identity moves from internal understanding to everyday choices and ultimately to purposeful contribution in the world.
The Imago Dei Framework
A model of identity formation from identity to purposeful influence.
Together, these levels illustrate how identity moves from understanding, to expression, to influence. Each level builds upon the one before it, showing how knowing who we are shapes how we live and engage with others.
One foundational understanding, applied through a practical framework for adolescence.
Imago Dei Framework
The Institute’s foundational understanding of identity formation, describing how a secure sense of who we are shapes the choices we make and the influence we carry into the world.
Adolescent Girls Identity Development Framework
This framework applies the principles introduced through the Imago Dei Framework to adolescence. It translates a foundational understanding of identity into a practical approach that addresses the developmental needs, pressures, and opportunities girls encounter during this formative season. It is organized around five integrated dimensions of identity development, providing a structured pathway through which key areas of adolescent growth are explored and developed.
These five integrated dimensions provide the structure through which the Adolescent Girls Identity Development Framework is expressed in practice. They represent interconnected areas of growth that support healthy adolescent development.
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SELF-WORTH
Culture
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Well-Being
Sexuality
&
The Body
Integrity
&
Godliness
Purpose
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Leadership
Identity & Self-Worth
Girls explore who they are and why they matter. This pillar creates space to reflect on values, belonging, and self-perception beyond grades, appearance, comparison, or external expectations.
Digital Culture & Well-being
Girls examine how phones, social media, and online spaces influence their thinking, relationships, and self-image. They develop healthy digital habits, establish boundaries, and gain awareness of how to engage thoughtfully online.
Purity, Sexuality & the Body
Guided conversations explore body image, boundaries, relationships, and sexuality. Girls are supported in developing self-respect, clarity, and wisdom as they navigate personal and relational decisions.
Character, Integrity & Godliness
Everyday choices and habits shape long-term character. This pillar focuses on integrity, consistency, responsibility, and the relationship between faith and daily life, encouraging girls to consider who they are becoming.
Destiny, Purpose & Leadership
Adolescence is a season of direction setting. This pillar invites girls to reflect on responsibility, service, stewardship, and the impact of their choices within families, schools, and communities.
Adolescence has always been a significant season of identity formation.
Identity is shaped through the relationships, experiences, and environments that surround young people, including family, education, community, and culture.
Today’s adolescents must also navigate an increasingly digital environment alongside these traditional influences. Research demonstrates that digital spaces play an important role in shaping self-perception, relationships, emotional well-being, and the way young people understand themselves.
These influences are especially significant during adolescence, a developmental stage when identity is actively being formed.
A third of teen girls say social media makes them feel worse about their own lives, nearly double the rate reported by boys.
Digital culture plays a powerful role in shaping identity, confidence, and emotional well-being.
Source: Pew Research Center: Teens, Social Media & Mental Health (2025)
These realities create both opportunities and challenges, making intentional identity development more important than ever before.
At Imago Dei Institute, we recognize that girls do not thrive in isolation. Identity, character, and confidence are shaped within the relationships and environments that surround them, including families, friendships, schools, faith communities, and the wider social environment.
While the framework focuses intentionally on girls, we recognize that parents, caregivers, mentors, educators, peers, and communities all play an important role in shaping the environments in which girls grow. For this reason, our approach emphasizes collaboration, shared responsibility, and collective investment in the well-being of the next generation.
Translating the Model into Practice
The framework is implemented through structured curriculum, trusted mentoring relationships, reflective practice, and partnerships with the communities that surround each girl.
Curriculum
Delivered through structured learning experiences organized around the Five Pillars of Formation.
Mentoring
Trusted adult mentors support identity formation through conversation, guidance, encouragement, and accountability.
Reflection & Practice
Journals, guided reflection, practical application, meaningful conversation, and goal setting help girls internalize what they learn.
Community Partnership
Lasting identity formation is strengthened through collaboration with families, schools, churches, and community organizations.
The Adolescent Girls Identity Development Framework continues to evolve through pilot implementation, curriculum development, research, evaluation, and collaborative learning. As the Institute grows, we remain committed to advancing the understanding and practice of identity formation while equipping the people and institutions who shape the lives of young people.
We welcome educators, researchers, schools, churches, organizations, and foundations interested in advancing the understanding and practice of identity formation.
Together, we can strengthen the environments that shape young people and create pathways for the next generation to live with purpose.
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