Identity Expression and Bedroom Personalization by Urban Adolescents in Botswana

Identity expression through the design of urban adolescents’ bedrooms in Gaborone, Botswana, was the focus of this qualitative study. Interviews were conducted to determine the manner in which decorative and personal items played a role in identity exploration and expression. The findings indicated a clear interplay between personalization and identity formation for adolescents. Identities expressed through personalization of bedrooms were private self, gender identity, age identity, family/social identity, and relationships; past, present, and future roles/identities; and religious identity. In addition to these, boys clearly expressed sport identity, self-image, creative self, and achievements through their bedroom personalization. A model is presented that illustrates the interplay between personalization and identity formation.