scholarly journals EXAMINING ADULT’S IDENTITY STATUSES: ADAPTIVE VS. MALADAPTIVE DIMENSION

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 152-160
Author(s):  
Maia Mestvirishvili ◽  
Natia Mestvirishvili ◽  
Khatuna Martskvishvili ◽  
Luiza Arutinov

To achieve the status of ego identity remains the most important challenge for the adolescence period and consequently is a challenge for developmental psychologists too. The vast majority of studies focus on understanding the dynamics of ego identity development, however, factors that cause different path of development remained unclear. This study aims at tracking the paths, which differentiate ego statuses from finding psychosocial factors contributing to ego identity achievement. For this purpose the relationships between four identity statuses - achievement, exploration, moratorium and foreclosure and number of psychosocial variables such as attachment style, self-esteem and perfectionism have been examined. 386 school teenagers aged 14-17 (M = 15.48) filled a set of questionnaires comprised of four instruments: The Ego Identity Process Questionnaire (EIPQ), The Measure of Attachment Qualities (MAQ), The Perfectionism Inventory (PI) and Adult Sources of Self-Esteem Inventory (ASSEI). Discriminant analysis revealed two basic dimensions (adaptive and maladaptive), which are capable to depict the difference between ego identity statuses. The first discriminant function of ego identity status is primarily defined by conscientious perfectionism and secured attachment; whereas, the second discriminant function consists of avoidance attachment, self-evaluative perfectionism and ambivalent attachment styles. Key words: adolescence period, ego identity status, ego identity development, psychosocial factors.

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-62
Author(s):  
Jelena Tovarović

Identity and self-esteem are important concepts in the development and understanding of individual's self-perception. Perceptions and opinions of significant others influence the construction of adolescents' representations of self and the formation of identity, which, in turn, can be a strong predictor of self-esteem. The significance of our research is reflected in the examination of subjective choices and commitment to roles, values and goals in the domains of religion, occupation, politics and relationships, which can all affect self-esteem. Hence, this paper aims to examine the relationship between identity and self-esteem, more precisely, the impact of identity on self-esteem. The study involved 487 adolescents who completed two questionnaires: the Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status (EOMEIS-2), which contains four statuses: Achievement, Foreclosure, Diffusion identity and Moratorium, and the Self-Liking Self-Competence Scale (SLSC) used for the assessment of self-esteem, consisting of two dimensions: Self-liking and Self-competence. Correlation analysis of four identity statuses and two dimensions of self-esteem showed a positive correlation of Self-competence and Self-liking with Achievement identity, and a negative correlation of the two dimensions of self-esteem with the Foreclosure, Diffusion identity and Moratorium. In order to analyze the influence of identity on self-esteem in more detail, a regression analysis was performed. When it comes to the dimensions of Self-competence and Self-liking, the most significant predictor is Achievement identity, while Moratorium and Foreclosure identity are less impactful predictors, with a negative sign. The results are interpreted in terms of the influence of identity on the level of self-esteem, as well as the importance of support from others, such as parents and peers. Finally, we provide guidelines for further research of the connection between identity, self-esteem and other concepts which play a significant role in the process of developing the concept of self.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Malahat Amani ◽  
Arefeh Shariatipour

Abstract Formation of identity and differentiation is crucial in the development process of adolescents and young people. Despite many studies on identity status and self-differentiation in adolescence and early adulthood stages, this issue has been less examined among twins. This study was conducted to compare self-differentiation and identity statuses in twins and nontwins. The sample of the study consisted of 128 identical twins, 176 nonidentical twins and 170 nontwins aged from 13 to 30 years and living in Mashhad in Iran, who completed the Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status and Self-Differentiation questionnaires. The results showed that the self-differentiation of identical and nonidentical twins was significantly higher than nontwins. The results also showed that level of Foreclosure identity, Moratorium identity and Achieved identity was similar among identical twins, nonidentical twins and nontwins, but significantly different in terms of Diffusion identity. Further, the results showed that twins younger than 18 years had scores higher than nontwins and twins over 18 years in terms of Diffusion identity. Findings revealed that females were significantly lower than males for Moratorium identity. The adolescence period and co-twins may be the reason for the high levels of Diffusion identity and self-differentiation. Also, it seems that identity development and differentiation are related to emotional and cognitive development.


Author(s):  
Γεωργία Διαμαντοπούλου ◽  
Μαρία Πλατσίδου

In the last two decades, there has been a growing interest in short versions of questionnaires for measuring several psychological constructs. Focusing on identity development, in the present study, we extracted and tested the psychometric properties of the EIPQ-SF, a short version of the EIPQ scale for measuring identity according to Marcia’s identity statuses (achieved, foreclosed, moratorium and diffused identity). The data of our study derived from a sample of 210 college students aged 18-25 years. For extracting the EIPQ-SF, we first tested the content of the items of the original EIPQ and then we performed exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. We evaluated the predictive validity of the EIPQ-SF by comparing the levels of self-esteem among participants with achieved, foreclosed, moratorium and diffused identity. The results of our study indicate that EIPQ-SF has a good factor structure and adequate validity and reliability; therefore, it can be used as a short scale for measuring identity in typical samples of young adults (university students). The advantages, applications as well as the limitations of the EIPQ-SF are thoroughly discussed.


Psihologija ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-220
Author(s):  
Irena Stojkovic ◽  
Sanja Dimoski ◽  
Jovan Miric

This study presents a construction and psychometric evaluation of the Religious Identity Status Questionnaire ? RISQ for the assessment of the religious identity status according to Marcia?s ego identity status approach. The initial item pool was generated based on Erikson?s theory of psychosocial development, Marcia?s ego identity status approach and interviews with adolescents and young adults. A factor analysis of the initial item pool was performed on data obtained from a sample of 394 secondary school and university students from Serbia to select items for the questionnaire. Validity of the questionnaire was examined on a sample of 1155 subjects. The results of the CFA suggest that subscales of the RISQ measure four factors corresponding to the identity statuses of Marcia?s model. Correlations with ideological identity subscales of the EOM?EIS?2 suggest the convergent validity of the questionnaire. Configural measurement invariance was established for gender and denominational groups. Metric invariance was established for gender and among orthodox and catholic participants, whereas scalar invariance was established for gender, but not for denominational groups.


1999 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 457-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lene Stegarud ◽  
Beate Solheim ◽  
Maya Karlsen ◽  
Jane Kroger

The purpose was to replicate research by Jensen, Kristiansen, Sandbekk, and Kroger. In that 1998 study, patterns of identity development were examined for late adolescents raised in the mixed liberal welfare-state economic system of Norway compared with late adolescents raised in the free-market economic system of the United States. In the present study, scores for ego identity status were examined for a further sample of 58 (38 women, 20 men) Norwegian and 1,498 (814 women, 684 men) American undergraduate students using the Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status-2. Present results were consistent with those of Jensen, et al., which found Norwegian students to score consistently lower on extent of exploration and of commitment than American students. This study provides further evidence that in late adolescence, Norwegian students may undergo greater moderation in identity exploration and commitment processes than their United States peers. Findings are discussed in the light of social, political, and economic differences between the two nations.


2000 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Kroger

The present brief report overviews developments in the field of ego identity status research over the past 35 years and suggests directions for identity status research as we enter the new millenium. In the mid 1960s, James Marcia (1966, 1967) expanded Erik Erikson’s (1968) concept of ego identity to suggest four qualitatively different styles by which late adolescents undertake identity-deifning psychosocial commitments. Over the ensuing decades, identity status research focused primarily on validating the identity statuses and finding associated personality correlates, examining patterns of change over time, and investigating familial communication patterns associated with each of the identity positions. Research in the new millennium might fruitfully address the course and contents of identity beyond late adolescence as well as predictors of developmental arrest. A greater range of developmental contexts in which identity formation occurs is also in need of examination. Ultimately, an individual’s interpretation of context and further mediating events that may be associated with identity status resolutions are critical to a more complete understanding of the identity formation process.


1998 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 455-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mette Jensen ◽  
Ingvill Kristiansen ◽  
Merete Sandbekk ◽  
Jane Kroger

To examine patterns of identity development for late adolescents raised in the Norwegian mixed liberal welfare-state economic system compared with late adolescents raised in the free-market economic system of the United States, ego identity status scores and distributions were examined for 56 (37 women, 19 men). Norwegian and 1498 (814 women, 684 men) United States undergraduate university students using the Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status–2. The United States sample was drawn from four geographic regions and comprised of those who had participated in prior studies performed by Adams. Significant differences were found between the two nations on all identity status subscales in the ideological and interpersonal domains for each sex. The more moderate identity status scale scores evidenced by the Norwegian sample may reflect a cultural trend toward greater moderation in the exploration and commitment process.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. e4-e10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanya Beran ◽  
Kent Hecker ◽  
Sylvain Coderre ◽  
Bruce Wright ◽  
Wayne Woloschuk ◽  
...  

Background: Medical students encounter a variety of experiences that have an impact on their emerging professional identity. Clerkship, in particular, presents opportunities for students to consider their career options and decide upon a career path. The process of developing their professional identity begins well before clerkship, however. Anecdotal evidence suggests that interests in medicine begin as early as childhood. This study retrospectively examines the decision-making process clerks make in choosing medicine as a career.Methods: A total of 76 clerks (36 male, 34 female, 6 not reported) responded to four open-ended and two follow-up questions that measure career interests and pursuits. Questions addressed when and how students developed interests in medicine and alternate careers before beginning medical school. An additional eight closed questions drawn from the Ego Status Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status II (EOM-EIS-II) were administered. Content analyses and inter-rater reliability analyses were conducted to classify students according to Marcia’s1  four ego identity statuses.Results: Having obtained high inter-rater consistency (Cohen’s Kappa coefficient of 0.92), responses to the open-ended questions resulted in the classification of three identity statuses. In total, 49.3% of students were in the ‘achieved’ (high exploration and commitment to choices) status and 48.1% were in the ‘foreclosed’ (low exploration but high commitment to choices) status. A small percentage (1.3%) of students were in the ‘moratorium’category (high exploration but low commitment to choices), while none of the students were in the ‘diffused’ (low exploration and low commitment to choices) category.Conclusions: With approximately half of the students demonstrating a ‘foreclosed’ status, this study reveals that despite exposure to a variety of careers when attending university, only half of the students had seriously pursued a career outside of medicine. The majority of students, moreover, developed an interest in medicine before adulthood, and did so independently from parental influence.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 102-113
Author(s):  
David W. Gavel ◽  
Jon T. Mandracchia

Purpose Criminogenic thinking refers to patterns of specific cognitive events associated with criminal behavior that facilitate the development and maintenance of patterned criminal behavior. Relatively little is known about the specific processes involved in the development of criminogenic thinking. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examine ego identity development and criminal associations as two possible predictors of criminogenic thinking. Design/methodology/approach Participants included 104 adult male state penitentiary inmates. Participants completed measures assessing ego identity status, criminogenic thinking, and the amount of time spent in the presence with other offers. Data were analyzed with a series of hierarchical regressions. Findings Results indicated that active engagement in the psychosocial process of identity development is associated with decreased criminogenic thinking. However, interaction with criminal associates and incarceration prior to the age of 18 were significant predictors of criminogenic thinking, regardless of identity development style. Implications for correctional mental health and offender rehabilitation are discussed. Originality/value As this is the first study of its’ kind and limitations are to be expected, there are several potential implications for correctional mental health and offender rehabilitation that are discussed.


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