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Adolescent psychological well-being by identity style
Tommy M Phillips1, Joe F Pittman
1Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL 36265, USA. tphillips@jsu.edu
Journal of Adolescence
|April 28, 2007
Summary
Adolescent identity styles significantly impact psychosocial well-being. Diffuse-avoidant identity styles correlate with lower self-esteem and higher delinquency, while information and normative styles show more positive outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Adolescent Development
- Identity Formation
Background:
- Adolescence is a critical period for identity development.
- Understanding identity styles is crucial for addressing psychosocial challenges in adolescents.
- Previous research suggests a link between identity and psychological adjustment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between different identity styles and various psychosocial variables in high school adolescents.
- To investigate how identity styles influence self-esteem, hopelessness, delinquent attitudes, educational expectations, and optimism/efficacy.
- To explore potential gender differences in identity style prevalence.
Main Methods:
- A quantitative study involving 262 high school-age adolescents across two samples.
- Participants completed validated measures assessing identity style, self-esteem, hopelessness, delinquent attitudes, educational expectations, and optimism/efficacy.
- Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to analyze the data and identify significant relationships.
Main Results:
- Adolescents with a diffuse-avoidant identity style reported lower self-esteem and higher delinquent attitudes compared to those with information or normative styles.
- The diffuse-avoidant style was also associated with increased hopelessness and decreased optimism/efficacy.
- No significant differences were found between normative and information identity styles regarding the measured psychosocial variables.
- A gender difference emerged, with males more frequently exhibiting a diffuse identity style and females an information-oriented style.
Conclusions:
- Identity style is a significant factor in adolescent psychosocial functioning.
- A diffuse-avoidant identity style is linked to poorer psychological outcomes, highlighting a potential risk factor.
- Information and normative identity styles appear to be associated with more adaptive psychosocial adjustment.
- Gender plays a role in the manifestation of identity styles during adolescence.
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