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Are identity styles important for psychological well-being?
Georgios Vleioras1, Harke A Bosma
1Department of Psychology, University of Groningen, Grote Kruisstraat 2/1, 9712 TS, Groningen, The Netherlands. gvleioras@hotmail.com
Journal of Adolescence
|June 1, 2005
Summary
Psychological well-being is linked to successful identity formation. Avoiding identity issues negatively impacts well-being, but the method of facing them does not significantly affect outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Personality Psychology
Background:
- Successful identity formation is theoretically linked to psychological well-being (Erikson, 1963).
- Existing identity style literature often overlooks the direct relationship between identity formation and psychological well-being, focusing instead on style maturity or behavioral correlates.
- This study aims to reintegrate the connection between identity processes and psychological health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between identity styles and psychological well-being in a Greek university student population.
- To determine if avoiding identity issues or the manner in which they are confronted influences psychological well-being.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Identity Style Inventory (Berzonsky, 1992a) and scales of Psychological Well-Being (Ryff, 1989).
- Administered validated Hellenic (Greek) translations of the scales to 230 university students.
- Employed quantitative analysis to assess correlations between identity styles and well-being measures.
Main Results:
- A significant negative correlation was found between avoiding identity issues and psychological well-being.
- The specific style used to confront identity issues (e.g., informational, normative, diffuse-avoidant) was not significantly related to psychological well-being.
- The Hellenic (Greek) translations of the assessment scales demonstrated appropriate functionality.
Conclusions:
- Avoiding engagement with identity development is detrimental to psychological well-being.
- The process of confronting identity issues, rather than the specific style employed, appears to be the key factor for psychological health.
- Findings support the integration of identity formation processes within the broader framework of psychological well-being research.
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