TY - JOUR
T1 - Identity in young adulthood
T2 - Links with mental health and risky behavior
AU - Schwartz, Seth J
AU - Hardy, Sam A.
AU - Zamboanga, Byron L.
AU - Meca, Alan
AU - Waterman, Alan S.
AU - Picariello, Simona
AU - Luyckx, Koen
AU - Crocetti, Elisabetta
AU - Kim, Su Yeong
AU - Brittian, Aerika S.
AU - Roberts, Sharon E.
AU - Whitbourne, Susan Krauss
AU - Ritchie, Rachel A.
AU - Brown, Elissa J.
AU - Forthun, Larry F.
PY - 2015/1/1
Y1 - 2015/1/1
N2 - The present study was conducted to contribute to our understanding of young adult identity development by deriving latent profiles from intrapersonal and interpersonal indices of identity synthesis and confusion. A sample of 9737 college-attending young adults completed measures of identity, mental health, and health risk behaviors. Four latent profiles emerged: Synthesized (high synthesis, low confusion), Diffused (moderate synthesis, high confusion), Elevated (high synthesis and confusion), and Moderate (moderate synthesis and confusion). The Synthesized profile was associated with the highest well-being and the lowest levels of internalizing, externalizing, and health risks. The Diffused and Elevated profiles were both associated with low well-being and with high internalizing, externalizing, and risky behaviors - with the Elevated profile highest on all of the negative outcomes. The Moderate profile scored intermediately on well-being, internalizing, externalizing, and health risks. These results are discussed in terms of the role of identity within a successful transition to adulthood.
AB - The present study was conducted to contribute to our understanding of young adult identity development by deriving latent profiles from intrapersonal and interpersonal indices of identity synthesis and confusion. A sample of 9737 college-attending young adults completed measures of identity, mental health, and health risk behaviors. Four latent profiles emerged: Synthesized (high synthesis, low confusion), Diffused (moderate synthesis, high confusion), Elevated (high synthesis and confusion), and Moderate (moderate synthesis and confusion). The Synthesized profile was associated with the highest well-being and the lowest levels of internalizing, externalizing, and health risks. The Diffused and Elevated profiles were both associated with low well-being and with high internalizing, externalizing, and risky behaviors - with the Elevated profile highest on all of the negative outcomes. The Moderate profile scored intermediately on well-being, internalizing, externalizing, and health risks. These results are discussed in terms of the role of identity within a successful transition to adulthood.
KW - Externalizing
KW - Health risks
KW - Identity
KW - Internalizing
KW - Well-being
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84923350808&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84923350808&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.appdev.2014.10.001
DO - 10.1016/j.appdev.2014.10.001
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84923350808
VL - 36
SP - 39
EP - 52
JO - Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology
JF - Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology
SN - 0193-3973
ER -