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The relative importance of identity status interview components
A M Rogow1, J E Marcia, B R Slugoski
1Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.
Journal of Youth and Adolescence
|December 6, 2013
Summary
This study found that interpersonal-sexual concerns are vital for men's identity development, similar to women's. Ego identity development in late adolescents can be assessed using various personally relevant topics, not just traditional ones.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Ego identity development is a critical aspect of late adolescence.
- Traditional identity status interviews focus on occupation, religion, and politics.
- The role of interpersonal-sexual concerns in male identity development requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the contribution of interpersonal-sexual areas (attitudes towards sexual expression, sex-role beliefs) to overall identity status in college males.
- To compare the relative importance of new and standard identity content areas in relation to overall identity status.
- To examine the relationship between identity status in various content areas and cognitive complexity.
Main Methods:
- Eighty college males participated in an expanded identity status interview.
- The interview included standard areas (occupation, religion, politics) and new areas (sexual expression, sex-role beliefs).
- Correspondence between content areas and overall identity status was assessed, alongside cognitive complexity performance.
Main Results:
- Ideology (religion and politics) contributed more to overall identity status and cognitive complexity discrimination than occupation.
- Interpersonal-sexual concerns were found to be significant for men's identity development.
- All assessed interview areas demonstrated good correspondence with overall identity status and significant discrimination on the dependent variable.
Conclusions:
- Interpersonal-sexual issues are important for both male and female identity development.
- The core processes of crisis and commitment in identity formation may be more influential than specific content areas.
- Future research can utilize any personally relevant content for late adolescents to investigate ego identity development.
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